美國參議院通過超級風暴救援議案
The U.S. Congress has completed action on a $50.5 billion package of emergency relief for the victims of Superstorm Sandy, three months after the storm severely damaged the New York and New Jersey coastlines.
Members of the Senate approved the bill Monday by a vote of 62 to 36. The House passed the legislation earlier this month, and President Barack Obama has promised to sign it as soon as it reaches his desk.
Discussions about aid for one of the worst storms ever to hit the U.S. northeast have been complicated by the nation's poor economic situation. An aid package was up for a vote in the House in early January, but members failed to vote on it because of disputes over spending. When new members of Congress were sworn in a few days later, negotiations on storm aid had to start over again.
The delay in the Republican-controlled House triggered criticism from Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.美國國會已經完成了爲“桑迪”超級風暴受害者提供505億美元緊急救援的程序。三個月前，這場超級風暴在紐約和新澤西沿海地區造成嚴重破壞。
星期一，美國國會參議院以62票對36票通過了這項議案。衆議院於本月早些時候通過這項議案，奧巴馬總統已經承諾將盡快簽署這項議案。
“桑迪”是自有記錄以來侵襲美國東北部的最猛烈風暴之一。由於美國經濟狀況不佳，圍繞提供救援的討論變得複雜化。1月初，一項救援議案提交衆議院表決，但由於有關開支問題的爭論，表決未能進行。在此幾天後，新國會宣誓就任，不得不重新就救援方案進行談判。
共和黨控制的衆議院的拖延招致了紐約州民主黨籍州長科莫以及新澤西州共和黨籍州長克里斯蒂的批評。
