The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved an initial aid package for victims of Hurricane Harvey. The disaster relief measure, worth $7.85 billion, was approved by a 419 to 3 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain as leaders in the upper chamber are expected to attach a debt ceiling increase to the aid package. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX)—who told The Daily Beast on Tuesday that he supports pairing Harvey aid with a debt ceiling hike—applauded the House for “moving quickly.” The funding must be approved by Friday, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency is set to exhaust its emergency disaster fund.
—Andrew Desiderio
