The White House Looks Up in 2013: Congress Approves $60 Billion in Aid for Hurricane Sandy Victims and more

The 2013 Presidential Inauguration has yet to come to pass, but the White House and Congress have passed an piece of important legislation for those affected by Hurricane Sandy and laid out ambitious plans in regards to gun control for the months ahead.

On Tuesday night, Bloomberg reports the House of Representatives voted for an additional $50.5 billion in aid on top of the $9.7 billion package approved by both Congress and the House on Jan. 4th. According to the Bloomberg article, the “measure includes $17 billion to meet the immediate needs of Sandy victims in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and $33.5 billion for long-term reconstruction.”

Among many other objectives, the relief package will be used to restore shoreline communities, replenish beaches, and repair the subway system. The Senate likely vote for the package on Jan. 22nd.

But the White House’s progress doesn’t end there. President Obama announced plans to regulate gun laws and prevent dangerous assault weapons from getting in the wrong hands. The New York Times says that Mr. Obama “plans to introduce legislation by next week that includes a ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity magazines, explanded background checks for gun purchases and new gun trafficking laws to crack down on the spreado of weapons across the country.”

The administration is well aware of the challenges gun control legislation faces, but the White House hopes to take advantage of the opportunity to push legislation in the wake of the shooting massacres in 2012.

The willingness of Congress and the White House to respond to significant issues facing the American people in 2013 is a beacon of light to lead the country out of last year’s veil of frustration and indecision. If the cooperation between parties and strength of belief persists, Americans may be able to restore some faith in the government.