Sandy aid package of $51bn up for vote in US House 15 January 2013 Last updated at 17:14 The US House is set to vote on $51bn (£32bn) in 'super-storm' Sandy aid, amid opposition from conservatives seeking cuts to offset the spending. The lower chamber is expected to vote on Tuesday on $17bn in emergency aid and $34bn for long-term projects. Congress has already approved $9.7bn in flood insurance aid, after north-eastern lawmakers blasted House leaders for putting off a vote. The north-eastern states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were the hardest hit. Poison pill The initial $17bn bill to be taken up on Tuesday includes aid for emergency relief, covering repairs to infrastructure and payments for immediate assistance to individual Sandy victims. A second $34bn measure adds longer-term funds for infrastructure improvements aimed at preventing future storm damage. Meanwhile some conservative Republican lawmakers are seeking spending cuts elsewhere in the federal budget to pay for the recovery aid. South Carolina Republican Representative Mick Mulvaney was among a group of House members who offered an amendment to offset the $17bn bill with 1.6% across-the-board spending cuts for 2013. "This is not a poison pill," Mr Mulvaney told the Associated Press. It's not designed for delay... I just want to try and find a way to pay for [the aid]. Others argue the $34bn longer-term spending measure, offered by New Jersey Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen, funds too many projects that should be paid through non-emergency bills. "While my heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, it is unacceptable for Congress to use this disaster as a justification for passing a bill chock-full of pork barrel spending," Georgia Republican Paul Broun said on Monday. Enough votes Despite the opposition, north-eastern lawmakers said they were confident that both parts of the bill would be passed. "We have more than enough votes," New York Republican Peter King told the Associated Press, adding that he expected the House would vote down conservatives' spending cuts amendments. The White House also urged Congress to pass the bill without offsetting cuts. "Providing federal funding for response, recovery and mitigation following Hurricane Sandy will maintain the nation's tradition of pulling together to help one another in times of greatest need," the White House said. Republican House Speaker John Boehner scheduled the votes on Sandy aid after declining to consider a $60bn Senate measure in the last Congress, allowing the legislation to expire. Republican and Democratic lawmakers from hard-hit states pilloried Mr Boehner for not holding the vote after the last-minute fiscal cliff bill.