House, Senate Clash Anew Over Disaster Aid Bill as Shutdown Looms

WASHINGTON — The House and Senate are clashing over the latest must-pass bill, this one bearing aid for disaster victims and money to prevent a government shutdown in a week.

The Republican-run House approved legislation by a 219-203 vote early Friday providing $3.7 billion for victims of Hurricane Irene and other disasters and financing government agencies through Nov. 18. The bill was similar to one the House rejected on Wednesday.

This time it included an extra $100 million in savings by cutting a federal loan program for energy technology.

Aides in the Democrat-led Senate say that chamber will vote down the bill. Democrats want more disaster aid and don't like cutting other programs to pay for it — especially the bill's cuts in another loan program aimed at encouraging fuel efficient vehicles.