NORTH CAROLINA -- Congress has approved more than $1 billion in storm aid aimed at helping victims of Hurricane Florence, sending it to the White House.

  • The plan includes roughly $1.68 billion for the Carolinas
  • So far, the exact cost of the damage caused by Florence is not known, though it is expected to be in the billions
  • The House approved the funding plan last week, and North Carolina lawmaker Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5th district) voted against the bill

The plan includes roughly $1.68 billion for the Carolinas, of which the Tar Heel State is expected to receive about $1.14 billion.

The U.S. Senate voted 93-6 to approve the FAA Reauthorization Act, which included the storm funding.

In a statement, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), called the aid “an important step on the long road to recovery.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), labeled it a “down payment.”

The money, in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can be used to help rebuild housing, infrastructure, and more.

So far, the exact cost of the damage caused by Florence is not known, though it is expected to be in the billions. Members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation have already indicated that they will have to come back to Congress to get more funding.

"Federal assistance will be the key to North Carolina’s recovery over the coming months and years, and I will continue to work with the entire North Carolina Congressional delegation to ensure families have the resources needed to rebuild their homes and businesses,” Tillis wrote.

The House approved the funding plan last week. In the House, one North Carolina lawmaker, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5th district), voted against the bill.

Defending her vote, Foxx said in a statement that the larger FAA Reauthorization Act included “numerous policies” that do not reflect her “conservative principles,” such as establishing a fee for concrete masonry products. She also raised concerns about the reliance on CDBG funds, saying they have a “record of performing extremely poorly for taxpayers.”

Foxx did vote in support of making $8.8 billion available in FEMA funding through a separate piece of legislation.