Debate Over Sandy Relief Bill

Northeastern lawmakers hope to pass another Superstorm Sandy relief bill this week. But opponents are pointing to how much of the bill’s money would go to other projects.

FOX News Radio’s Rich Johnson reports from Washington:

The Superstorm Sandy aid bill totals nearly $51 billion. But $12 billion is actually for housing and urban development block grants for any state that suffered a natural disaster in the past two years. 

$150 million would go to help fishermen in the Northeast, Mississippi and Alaska recover from past problems. $135 million would help improve government weather forecasting.

In response, House Republicans have put together a $17 billion alternative. And House leaders plan to let members vote on both plans.

In Washington, Rich Johnson, FOX News Radio.

Editor’s Note: Congress passed, and President Obama has signed, a nearly $10 billion measure to pay for Sandy-related flood insurance claims.