Senate OKs $7 billion relief bill

WASHINGTON — Setting up a battle with the GOP-controlled House, Senate Democrats on Thursday muscled through a $7 billion bill to replenish nearly empty federal disaster aid accounts.

The chamber advanced the legislation by a 62-37 vote to defeat a Republican filibuster. Ten Republicans joined with every Democrat to adopt the measure, which includes $500 million in immediate, emergency funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make sure FEMA won’t have to cut off help for victims of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee at the end of the month.

Most of the rest of the $7 billion would keep FEMA disaster accounts full for the budget year beginning Oct. 1, while providing $1.35 billion to repair Army Corps of Engineers activities like repairing levees and dredging flooded waterways.

The vote is a welcome win for Democrats who have gotten used to seeing Republicans block them almost at will in the chamber, where 60 of 100 votes is needed for most legislation. Democrats control the senate with 53 votes.

The legislation still faces opposition from Republicans controlling the House. They promise action on a competing plan in the House next week that would provide $3.7 billion in disaster aid but require $1 billion in immediate aid for the 2011 budget year to be “paid for” with offsetting cuts to an Obama administration-backed loan program to encourage the production of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat who is still battling for funding for projects to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina of 2005, which devastated her state six years ago, said the House measure is “wholly inadequate for the challenge before the nation right now.”

Since the House measure is attached to a bill needed to avert a government shutdown, Republicans may have the edge in the partisan dispute.