WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House approved more than billion dollars in federal assistance for the Carolinas following Hurricane Florence. 

  • The Tar Heel state will receive roughly $1.1 billion
  • North Carolina lawmakers say they will likely be back asking for more
  • Senate still needs to approve the funding

Of the $1.68 billion, North Carolina's senators estimate the Tar Heel state will receive roughly $1.1 billion.

The House voted in favor of the measure Wednesday. North Carolina lawmakers say they will likely be back asking for more.

"It’s a down payment, but its some money to show good faith and commitment," said Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-NC.

Before the vote, North Carolina's congressional delegation held a closed door strategy session, preparing for what will likely be a months or years long recovery process.

The money approved by the House comes in the former of Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs), which the state then has the ability to spend on repairs, including to infrastructure and housing.

"It’s not going to be enough to cover the whole disaster, but I have a responsibility to the taxpayers to be responsible with their money and so we’re waiting for the state to give us the actual disaster results," said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC. "I think it's going to take a while to assess that."

The question is, when North Carolina undoubtedly comes back to ask for more assistance, will Congress be willing to give? Members of North Carolina’s delegation have voted against other disaster relief packages in the past. Hudson, for example, did not support Hurricane Sandy relief legislation.

"If you look at that funding package, it was one of the most pork laden products to ever come out of Congress," Hudson said, standing behind his vote.

Other members of the delegation remain confident that Congress will be willing to step in to help.

"I think people have a bigger picture than that. I think they understand what is at stake for these folks," Pittenger said.

The Senate still needs to approve the funding. That vote could possibly happen next week.

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