House accepts $33.7B Sandy bill amendment

The House on Tuesday evening approved an amendment to a huge Hurricane Sandy relief bill that adds $33.7 billion to the bill, nearly tripling the size of the main bill.

Members approved the amendment from Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) in a 228-192 vote. It was opposed by 190 Republicans, but 38 Republicans joined 190 Democrats in support and allowed it to pass.

That vote put the House on a path to passing a $50.7 billion disaster aid bill early Tuesday evening. Along the way, the House also rejected several other amendments that would have shaved millions of dollars off the cost of the bill.

{mosads}The House also voted on amendments from:

Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas), striking $150 million for Regional Ocean Partnership grants. Passed, 221-197.

Rep. Jon Runyan (R-N.J.), clarifying that disaster money in the Frelinghuysen amendment is for states that were hit by Hurricane Sandy and suffered a fisheries disaster in 2012. Passed by voice vote.

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), cutting $13 million to accelerate the National Weather Service ground readiness project. Failed, 206-214.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), taking out $1 million for the Legal Services Corp., which gives legal services to lower-income people. Failed, 202-217.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), clarifying that funds in the bill do not make taxpayers 100 percent responsible for projects unrelated to Hurricane Sandy. Passed by voice vote.

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), increasing the Community Development Fund by $25 million. Withdrawn.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), to require FEMA to disclose all disaster relief grants, not just those above $1 million. Passed by voice vote.

Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), to cut $9.8 million from the Fish & Wildlife Service for rebuilding seawalls on uninhabited islands off the shore of Connecticut. Passed, 216-205.

Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.), restoring a requirement that local investment — not just federal money — is required in Historic Preservation Grants. Failed, 208-212.

Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), prohibiting the government from acquiring new federal land with the funds provided in the bill. Passed, 223-198.

Velázquez, increasing funding to the National Cemetery Administration by $1 million. Passed by voice vote.