Though it took far too long for members of Congress to do the right thing for New York, I applaud the House for voting to approve federal aid to help us recover from Hurricane Sandy. So many in my Lower Manhattan community, from business owners at the South Street Seaport who were wiped out, to residents still displaced from uninhabitable buildings, are still reeling from the aftermath of the storm. This aid package will provide vital assistance to business and property owners while helping us to strengthen and rebuild infrastructure. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this bill so that we can finally get the relief we so urgently need.