Senate Democratic appropriators yesterday unveiled bill language to provide $60.4 billion in emergency funds for states affected by Superstorm Sandy, including $17 billion to address housing needs and nearly $11 billion to repair transit programs in the Northeast.

The text, which is expected to replace language in a House-passed fiscal 2013 military construction and veterans benefits funding bill, matches the total amount of the Obama administration's request for relief.

Proponents of the aid say the bill will likely reach the Senate floor next week, bypassing committee consideration. That would leave a compromised window of opportunity for Congress, which already has a lame-duck calendar loaded with pending high-stakes fiscal matters, to consider the measure.

While the Federal Transit Administration would see the bulk of proposed transportation dollars ($10.7 billion), the bill also would provide $921 million for the Federal Highway Administration, $336 million for the Federal Railroad Administration and $30 million for the Federal Aviation Administration.

The superstorm destroyed large swaths of transportation corridors and bridges from Virginia to Massachusetts. And more than a month later, some areas remain inoperable.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Fund would be provided $17 billion to assist displaced families and individuals without places to live, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be provided $11.5 billion for its ongoing disaster relief efforts.

To repair a variety of coastal projects, the Army Corps of Engineers would receive $3.4 billion. The legislation would direct the agency to rebuild certain projects in ways that preserve the "sustainability of the coastal ecosystem and communities, and reduce the economic costs and risks associated with large-scale flood and storm events" along the tri-state region's coastline.

Moreover, the legislation would direct agencies tasked with certain rebuilding assignments to "incorporate current science and engineering standards in constructing projects authorized that are designed to reduce flood and storm damage," and it would allow the president to establish "streamlined procedures" for proposed hazard mitigation measures.

Additionally, the bill would provide $810 million to address concerns about clean water programs, and $1 billion for flood control and coastal emergency programs. It would establish the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and a year after the law's implementation the FEMA administrator would be required to update Congress on rebuilding efforts.

"This bill provides funding for proven federal programs that will help rebuild and strengthen New Jersey's shore, transportation network, and support residents and small businesses that need help," Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said yesterday. "Now we must act quickly to get this bill signed into law before the end of this year."

When the measure reaches the Senate floor, some Democrats are expected to call for added mitigation assurances to deal with future natural disasters, while key Republicans will demand there are offsets to pay for the proposed funds.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, in a cost estimate analysis issued last night, said the $60.4 billion bill entails $59 billion in outlays through 2022.

Also to be considered will be calls from lawmakers from states surrounding New York and New Jersey seeking attention to areas that were destroyed in their districts.

"I'm cautiously optimistic that Delaware's needs and concerns are being taken seriously," Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said yesterday.

If the legislation does reach the House before the end of the lame duck, a senior House Appropriations Committee aide on Tuesday indicated leaders of that panel are still keen on breaking up the Sandy supplemental aid into parts. The first aspect would address immediate needs, and then months down the road another supplemental would address cosmetic projects.

Meanwhile, the Association of State Floodplain Managers yesterday cautioned lawmakers against providing money for large-scale flood control and beach projects that are in "unwise" areas in their home states.

"Federal construction for flood control should be contingent on local proponents doing their part to reduce risk using their authorities, including smart land use planning, zoning and building codes," said the group's director, Chad Berginnis.

Other highlights in the Senate proposal include:

• $25 million for the Emergency Conservation Program.

• $58 million for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.

• $125 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

• $482 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• $47 million for the Coastal and Estuarine Land Construction Program.

• $8.5 million for weather forecasting systems.

• $20,000 for the Justice Department inspector general.

• $40 million for Navy operation and maintenance programs.

• $7 million for the General Services Administration's Federal Buildings Fund.

• $40 million for the Small Business Administration.

• $500 million for the Disaster Loan Program account.

• $274 million for the Coast Guard.

• $236 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• $300 million for the Disaster Assistance Loan Program account.

• $78 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service.

• $348 million for the National Park Service (for construction).

• $50 million for the Historic Preservation Fund.

• $3 million for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (for oil spill research).

• $5 million for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund.

• $2 million for the Smithsonian Institution.

• $2 million for the Social Security Administration.