The Senate this evening voted to approve a $60.4 billion appropriations bill for Hurricane Sandy relief. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson voted yes; Sen. Marco Rubio voted no, joining other Republicans who said it had been stuffed with pork unrelated or barely related to the hurricane. Some Republicans wanted offsetting cuts.

Rubio offered the same reason for voting against the Restore Act, which provided BP oil spill money to the Gulf coast. Rubio voted for a stripped down Sandy alternative that would have provided $24 billion. Twelve Republicans voted with Democrats for the larger amount.

The Sandy legislation still has to pass the House, a difficult climb. More here.