President Obama has signed into law a measure providing $9.7 billion in initial federal aid for victims of Superstorm Sandy. The House approved the bill Friday after House Speaker John Boehner canceled a vote on a wider $60 billion package, a move that sparked harsh criticism. As the smaller bill advanced on the House floor, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York denounced Boehner’s decision.

Rep. Steny Hoyer: “While it is never too late to do the right thing, it is late that we are doing this thing, and we are doing only the bare minimum.”

Rep. Nydia Velázquez: “It is indefensible that as Americans continue to suffer from Sandy’s impact, that the House majority could not get their act together to bring the entire aid Senate pass package to a vote.”

Boehner says he will bring the remaining $51 billion in Sandy relief to a vote on January 15.