The Senate approved legislation Thursday for $6.9 billion in disaster aid funding until October 2012.
However, Reuters reports the bill is unlikely to pass the House, where Republican leaders have insisted the disaster funds be offset with cuts in other spending.
President Barack Obama had asked for $5.1 billion to help shore up disaster funds.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency had announced in August it was implementing its Immediate Needs Funding policy, limiting disaster aid to be used for debris cleanup and hazard removal.
Before Hurricane Irene, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said the agency’s disaster funds had dipped below $800 million, forcing FEMA to freeze rebuilding projects from previous disasters.
Previous disaster funding coverage:
