House Approves $9.7 Billion for Hurricane Sandy Flood Claims

The House overwhelmingly approved $9.7 billion for flood insurance claims from Hurricane Sandy during session midday Friday.

This, after the old congress failed to vote on the relief bill and delayed its passage.

The House will vote on the remaining $51 billion proposed in the bill on Jan. 15.

Friday's vote boosted hope for relief for thousands of people whose homes or businesses were damaged when the storm hit in late October. The Federal Emergency Management Agency warned that it would run out of National Flood Insurance Program money next week if Congress didn't provide more borrowing authority to pay claims.