Congress sends $50 bn storm Sandy aid bill to Obama

Congress on Monday finally approved more than $50 billion in emergency disaster aid for Hurricane Sandy, 13 weeks after the superstorm ravaged much of the coastal US northeast and left thousands homeless.

The bill, approved earlier this month by the House, comes after a near-monthlong delay triggered bipartisan rage that Republican lawmakers were politicizing relief funding and seeking to offset the costly legislation with federal spending cuts at a time of crisis for thousands of Americans.

The relief bill passed, 62-36 — having required to surpass a 60-vote threshold — and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.