Bush Signs Massive Hurricane Aid Package

President Bush signed a $51.8 billion emergency appropriation to fund the recovery and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bloomberg News reported.

The package, the second aid bill signed into law since the storm hit on Aug. 29, passed the House by a 410-11 margin and was voted out of the Senate 97-0, Bloomberg said.

The package brings the total amount of emergency federal funds up to $62.4 billion. An initial aid package of $10.6 billion was passed and signed over the Labor Day weekend.

The bulk of the money is being directed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to house and feed those displaced by Katrina, but the aid bill also would provide funds for transportation and logistics of relief goods and for the reconstruction of some infrastructure in New Orleans by the Army Corps of Engineer.