MISSOULA – Montana’s newest congressman has voted against a $9.7 billion loan package to pay flood insurance claims for property damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
The bill gives more borrowing authority to the National Flood Insurance Program to pay about 115,000 pending Sandy-related claims as well as about 5,000 unrelated claims.
Rep. Steve Daines was among the 67 Republican members of the House that voted against the measure, which passed with 354 votes on Friday. He told Montana Public Radio that the U.S. government cannot continue to add to the nation’s debt crisis.
The Senate was expected to pass the bill later Friday.
The House is scheduled to vote on Jan. 15 on another $51 billion in recovery money.