Tagged: Roy Blunt

Updated 4:31 p.m. with bill passing in the Senate

The Senate has approved a $7 billion bill to replenish nearly empty federal disaster aid accounts. The vote was 62-37.

The legislation still faces opposition from Republicans controlling the House. They promise action on a competing plan in the House next week that would provide $3.7 billion in disaster aid.

The House measure is attached to a bill needed to avert a government shutdown, and that may give Republicans an edge in the partisan dispute.

President Barack Obama will be in a challenging position Thurs. night as he presents his jobs plan to a joint session of Congress, according to Mo. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

In a conference call with reporters Wed., McCaskill said most Missourians want Congress to cut spending, but it will be difficult for the federal government to embark on a giant jobs programs without spending money.

Reporting from KRCU's Jacob McCleland was used in this report.

Army Corps of Engineers officials and Mississippi County farmers met with Senator Roy Blunt Thursday to discuss the restoration of the Birds Point-New Madrid floodway.

The Corps is currently building a temporary levee to 51 feet - more than eleven feet lower than the original levee that was detonated in May to relieve massive flooding on the Mississippi River.