U.S. Senate passes bill to help clean up Great Lakes

The U.S. Senate has passed the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which would continue a program to reduce contaminated sediments in the lakes.

It passed Thursday by a voice vote. The legislation authorizes $54 million annually for the cleanup of polluted parts of the Great Lakes. It is at a similar level to previous funding allowances.

The House passed the measure earlier this month with $150 million annually for funding, an increase over previous allowances. The Detroit News reports it's unclear whether a compromise version will be worked out.

The legislation follows an earlier version of the law, which passed in 2002.