The following is a press release from the office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3.

"House of Representatives Passes $9.7 Billion for Flood Insurance Program"

WASHINGTON —Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on House passage of $9.7 billion in disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Republican leadership split up the original $60.4 billion package passed by the Senate last month, slowing down the process of getting aid to people whose lives were torn apart by the storm.  Today’s bill will replenish the National Insurance Flood Program to ensure it can continue paying out claims.

“While I am pleased that we passed legislation to help flooded home and small business owners rebuild, I am deeply disappointed by the Majority’s decision to delay critical relief for victims. The Senate passed a bill that provided all necessary assistance and we should have done so as well.  It is unconscionable that residents in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey are being treated differently than victims of other natural disasters.  The unprecedented delays that will continue because of this piecemeal approach are emblematic of the continued failure by House Republicans to meet the needs of the American people in their time of suffering.”

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is unedited