Amid debate over delay in financial aid for Superstorm Sandy’s victims, US Congress has finally approved a $9.7 billion relief package for those hardest-hit by Sandy.
The 354-67 votes of House of Representatives decided the first round of federal money from the National Flood Insurance Program to pay claims of thousands of homeowners suffered from Hurricane Sandy.
Still waiting is for President Barack Obama’s signature into $9.7bn (£5.9bn) law as he is on holidays in Hawaii.
A outcry has sparked by hardest hit areas’ politicians against House Speaker John Boehner who earlier cancelled a total $60bn aid package, but later agreed after bill passed by the Senate.
Among the list of Sandy storm hit areas, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are the hardest-hit.
The Republications of New York and New Jersey criticized Senate’s delay in passing the rest of a $60.4 billion package, which was not delayed at time of Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005 and within 10 days former President George W. Bush had signed $60 billion aid package for victimsfrom Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, the worst hit area.
Sandy was the most devastating natural disaster hit in 29 October, killed at least 120 people.
