House Passes $7.85 Billion in Hurricane Harvey Relief

On Sept. 6, the House of Representatives approved nearly $8 billion in Hurricane Harvey relief funds Wednesday in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the first of several expected installments to aid recovery in areas devastated by the massive storm.

The bill was approved in a 419-3 vote, with three Republicans voting against the proposal: Reps. Justin Amash, R-Mich.; Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.; and Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The proposal includes roughly $7.5 billion to replenish FEMA's disaster relief coffers. An additional $450 million would help finance disaster loans through the Small Business Administration. Congress is expected to send the package to the White House for Trump's signature after the Senate adds the debt limit hike to the bill and sends it back to the Senate for final passage.