Washington, Dec 29, 2012 -     A $60.4 billion emergency spending aid package for victims of Hurricane Sandy moved through the Senate last night.

    “The House now has before it legislation that will provide critical federal support to help ease and mitigate the severe hardship on people, communities and businesses decimated by Superstorm Sandy," said Congressman Chris Smith, R- Robbinsville, NJ, who represents the Fourth Congressional District, the hard-hit area of northern Ocean County & southern Monmouth County where Sandy made landfill. 

    "There is no doubt that this storm created unprecedented emergencies and devastation and should be treated as such— with no delays, no budget offsets," Smith said. "Immediate federal assistance, resources, and mitigation planning is needed to help restore some normalcy and hope into the lives of the victims of Superstorm Sandy and start the rebuilding process.”

      The deaths of 120 people have been attributed to Sandy, which battered shore areas in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic from North Carolina to Maine. New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation, was the hardest hit state and suffered high winds, flooding and record-breaking storm surges. Frequently dubbed a "Superstorm" for its unprecedented nature, power and impact, Sandy damaged or destroyed more than 70,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey. The New York City area and Connecticut also suffered severe damage.