The vote came more than two months after the storm hit and days after local officials including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) erupted over House Speaker John Boehner's decision to delay an earlier vote.
Friday's 354-67 vote sends the bill to the Senate, which expects to pass the bill later in the day. All of the no votes were cast by Republicans.
The bill gives more borrowing authority to the National Flood Insurance Program to pay about 115,000 pending claims.
Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a joint statement about the vote.
"Today's action by the House was a necessary and critical first step towards delivering aid to the people of New York and New Jersey. While we are pleased with this progress, today was just a down payment and it is now time to go even further and pass the final and more complete, clean disaster aid bill," they said in the statement. "We are trusting Congress to act accordingly on January 15th and pass the final $51 billion instrumental for long-term rebuilding in order for New Jersey, New York and our people to recover after the severe devastation of Hurricane Sandy."
Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey blasted the vote, saying Congress shouldn't vote "piecemeal" on helping those in need.
Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey said the measure is "critically important" to help the state recover and rebuild.
Fellow Republican John Runyan said the bill is an important first step to help storm victims.
A vote to put an additional $51 billion toward Sandy relief will take place Jan. 15.
Local lawmakers said the money is urgently needed for victims of one of the worst storms ever to strike the region.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:12:52 GMT
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion...
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal...
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:03:27 GMT
Authorities say they still haven't determined what caused six U.S. border agents to require decontamination and medical attention after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York.
Authorities say they still haven't determined what caused six U.S. border agents to require decontamination and medical attention after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York.
Sunday, June 16 2013 5:39 PM EDT2013-06-16 21:39:47 GMT
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking New York colleges and universities to place tougher standards that would make it hard for students to abuse stimulants like Adderall. Schumer during a Sunday afternoon press conference said between 15 and 35 percent of college students frequently use Adderall to stay up to study. He said students shouldn’t be able to get amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall without a legitimate diagnosis and prescription.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking New York colleges and universities to place tougher standards that would make it hard for students to abuse stimulants like Adderall. Schumer during a Sunday afternoon press conference said between 15 and 35 percent of college students frequently use Adderall to stay up to study. He said students shouldn’t be able to get amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall without a legitimate diagnosis and prescription.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:36 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:36:20 GMT
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo was honored with a portrait that was unveiled inside the Hall of Governors in the state capital in Albany on Saturday. Current governor and son Andrew Cuomo was there as well. "A year ago we presented Governor Mario Cuomo with his official gubernatorial portrait.
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo was honored with a portrait that was unveiled inside the Hall of Governors in the state capital in Albany on Saturday. Current governor and son Andrew Cuomo was there as well. "A year ago we presented Governor Mario Cuomo with his official gubernatorial portrait.
Lindenhurst on eastern Long Island on Wed., Nov. 7, 2012. (MyFoxNY)
