Appropriations

The House Budget Committee chairman says the $60.4-billion Senate bill is loaded with unnecessary spending.

The New York Democrat warned Republicans from disaster-prone regions to support Hurricane Sandy recovery — or risk aid in future disasters. 

A memo warns that automatic cuts may result in staff being sent home without pay.

Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) announced that he would introduce a Republican alternative to the emergency-funding bill for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The Senate started consideration this week of H.R. 1 as a vehicle to provide $60.4 billion to Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, but some conservatives have said the bill has unnecessary spending measures, during a time when lawmakers are trying to make spending cuts.

Coat said his package was around $24 billion and only included funds that were truly emergencies and related to Sandy recovery efforts.

The Maryland senator will be the first woman to lead the powerful committee; Sen. Patrick Leahy declined the job.

Talks on avoiding the “fiscal cliff” are still running hot, but the rest of Congress is cooling down as the end of the year draws close.

However, lawmakers still will be tackling a few loose ends, including a supplement spending bill for relief from Hurricane Sandy.

That spending package was introduced in the Senate on Thursday, and debate will begin on the measure Monday. Members will be able to offer amendments in an open process to the $60.4 billion package, and could see votes this week.

Critics say the Senate Appropriations Committee has lost power in recent years under its 88-year-old chairman. 

The bill would spend $60.4 billion, matching the amount requested by the Obama administration.

The White House on Friday requested Congress to pass a $60.4 billion bill to pay for damage resulting from Sandy.

Inouye is the president pro tempore of the Senate, making him third in line for the presidency.