Kennedy outlined Monday how storms have devastated Louisiana and the nearly $150 billion in damages they caused in just 13 months.

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) voted today in support of a short-term funding bill that would send disaster aid to Louisiana and extend the National Flood Insurance Program without raising the debt limit. The Senate passed the bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives.

“If you even glance at the storm damage levied on Louisiana over the last year, you know our people need disaster relief. I’m thankful the Senate did the right thing by voting to send aid to our state, extend the flood insurance program Louisianians depend on and keep the government open,” said Kennedy.

Senate Republicans attempted to pass a bill similar to today’s legislation on Monday, but Democrats blocked that move before eventually removing the debt ceiling provision from their funding bill and bringing that measure for a vote today.

Kennedy has explained the need for disaster aid and criticized the political gamesmanship that originally led Democrats to tether that aid to lifting the debt limit. Video of Kennedy’s comments made on Sept. 27 is available here.