The Senate on Monday narrowly approved a $50 billion relief package for states recovering from Hurricane Sandy, sending to it to the White House for President Obama to sign. The bill passed the House of Representatives on January 15, despite considerable opposition from Republicans (only 49 voted yes).
The 62–36 Senate vote barely surpassed the 60-vote threshold for passage. All but nine Republicans voted no, after an amendment from Senator Mike Lee (R., Utah) to offset the disaster relief with discretionary spending cuts was rejected 35–62.