Workers repairing West Palm Beach, Fla., traffic lights damaged by Hurricane Frances. (Photo courtesy of Federal Emergency Management Agency/Mark Wolfe)

Moving swiftly in the wake of Florida's second powerful hurricane in three weeks, Congress has approved and President Bush has signed into law a measure providing $2 billion in emergency spending to help clean up and rebuild that state and other areas hit by natural disasters.

The measure, which Bush signed Sept. 8, less than 24 hours after the House and Senate passed it, constitutes only the first installment of eventual federal aid to Florida. The White House said Bush will request additional emergency funds in the next several days, with the amount to be determined after the amount of damage is assessed.

The $2 billion, the amount Bush had requested, will replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency's nearly depleted disaster relief account. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) had noted that the FEMA account was to run out of money on Sept. 8 if Congress didn't act.

According to the House Appropriations Committee, FEMA can use the $2 billion for a range of disaster relief work, including repairing infrastructure and utilities, removing debris and providing direct aid to people affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances, as well as other disasters. The legislation doesn't specify how the money should be allocated, except for earmarking "up to $30 million" for administrative expenses for Small Business Administration disaster loans.