AP: Senate approves $60.4 billion Sandy aid bill

    The Senate has approved a $60.4 billion emergency spending package for Hurricane Sandy recovery that was backed by Democrats.

    The 61-33 vote Friday sends the measure to the House, where the bill faces uncertain prospects. House GOP leaders appear reluctant to move quickly on a big spending bill in the final days of a lame duck session that’s being dominated by talks to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.

    Republican leaders favor a smaller aid package to pay for immediate Sandy recovery needs, saying they need more time to consider any additional aid.

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    Sandy battered the East Coast in late October. It was the most costly natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and one of the worst storms ever in the Northeast.

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