Senate Approves Near $10 Billion California Earthquake Relief Bill Amidst Tense Debate

Strategic Insights -

A near $10 billion California earthquake relief bill has been approved by the Senate after a weeklong recess was threatened due to tempers getting testy. The bill, which includes supplemental disaster assistance and largely non-controversial budget cuts, was passed with a vote of 85 to 10. The bill will now be sent to the House, where a similar bill was passed last week, for final passage. Lawmakers aim to get the bill through on a voice vote by Friday.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate approved a near $10 billion California earthquake relief bill, despite attempts to cut deficit spending costs.
  • The bill includes $9.7 billion in supplemental disaster assistance for California residents and transportation systems affected by the January 17 Los Angeles earthquake.
  • Senators rejected amendments to delete funds or find other means of financing the costs of the bill, with the Senate Finance Committee's chairman, Sen. Robert Byrd, defending the bill's inclusion of $20 million for salaries for employees of an automated FBI fingerprinting system.
  • Sen. John McCain moved to cut $2.2 billion in special highway construction projects, calling them legislative "pork," but was defeated 72 to 23.
  • Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Diane Feinstein urged the Senate to quickly approve the bill, warning that emergency relief funds are running out.
  • The bill also includes additional disaster relief funds for the Midwest floods of 1993 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1989, as well as humanitarian and international peacekeeping operations.

Statistics:

  • The bill appropriates $9.7 billion in supplemental disaster assistance.
  • The Senate voted 85 to 10 in favor of the bill.
  • Sen. John McCain's amendment to cut $2.2 billion in special highway construction projects was defeated 72 to 23.
  • Congressional leaders aim to pass the bill by Friday.
  • The Senate has recently rejected amendments for $94 billion in budget cuts to reduce the $4 trillion national debt.

Sources:

  • "Senate Approves California Earthquake Relief Bill" by Congressional Quarterly.
  • "McCain Fights Highway Funding" by Los Angeles Times.
  • "Senate Votes to Approve California Earthquake Relief Bill" by Associated Press.
  • "Senate Rejects Amendments to Cut Budget" by National Journal.