Yesterday, the House passed a bill (HR 5005) authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) $2 billion in disaster relief funds. The funds were appropriated to provide FEMA resources to cleanup and aid the areas and individuals impacted by Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

Earlier, the Senate voted to pass the measure upon House approval, moving it to the president's desk. Yet another hurricane relief bill (tackling Ivan) is expected to be taken up later this week and appended to the FY05 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Debate on said bill begins today in the Senate.