Congress has approved a $50.5 billion emergency aid package to help victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Sandy has been blamed for more than 130 deaths and billions of dollars in residential and business property damage.

The Senate cleared the measure Monday in a 62 to 36 vote, after House Republicans had stripped it earlier this month of spending unrelated to the disaster.

Northeast lawmakers say the money is desperately needed to help recovery efforts from one of the region's worst storms. The House passed the bill two weeks ago.

Most of the money will provide aid to people and business owners whose homes and property were damaged or destroyed.

More than $11 billion will go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund for Sandy and other disasters. Ten billion is directed at repairing New York and New Jersey transit systems.

President Obama said he would sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk.

"While I had hoped Congress would provide this aid sooner, I applaud the lawmakers from both parties who helped shepherd this important package though," Obama said in a statement Monday.