The US Senate approved $6.9 billion in disaster relief funds over a yearlong period, a measure that faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

By a 62-37 vote, the Senate approved funds for the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help communities cope with natural disasters such as Hurricane Irene, which struck much of the eastern US seaboard in late August. The funds are allocated for fiscal year 2012, which begins October 1.