Congress has passed a $9.6 billion bill that will provide new aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The bill will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay claims to those who held federal flood insurance.

The bill passed today after House Speaker John Boehner cancelled a vote scheduled for late Tuesday night. However, when fellow Republicans, including New Jersey Gov. Christ Christie, criticized Boehner for doing so, Boehner rescheduled the vote for Friday, Jan. 4.

Republican Representative Peter King was among the Republicans who reacted with fury to the bill’s cancellation on Tuesday, even urging donors to stop giving money to the GOP until the bill was passed.

Boehner cancelled the initial vote out of concern that not enough House Republicans would support the bill to secure its passage. The bill faced opposition from Republicans and conservative groups, including the Club For Growth. Some conservatives believe that disaster aid should be offset by cuts to other government spending. #