Updated 01/01/2013 05:22 PM
Local Lawmakers Work To Get House To Approve Sandy Aid Bill
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New York's lawmakers are working hard behind the scenes to pass the $60 billion Hurricane Sandy Disaster Aid bill in the House.
If the House doesn't pass it by the end of the current session on Thursday, lawmakers have to start the entire process over again in the new term.
In an effort to get GOP fiscal conservatives on board, House Republican leaders are splitting the bill in two.
Members are expected to overwhelmingly approve a $27 billion package for immediate aid, including more than $5 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New Jersey Transit.
The second amendment would be for $33 billion to fund long-term projects to help protect against future storms.
Long Island Rep. Peter King said that bill is also expected to pass, but with just enough votes.
"Mainly, it's done for tactical reasons, to get more votes," King said. "It was a behind-the-scenes decision made. They felt by doing it this way, it was more likely to get Republican votes and more likely to be able to bring it to the floor."
The Senate, which passed the Sandy aid bill on Friday, would need to approve the legislation again since the House made changes.