A man works to repair the roof of a church in New Dorp, Staten Island that was damaged by superstorm Sandy - Jan. 4, 2013 (credit: John Moore/Getty Images) A man works to repair the roof of a church in New Dorp, Staten Island that was damaged by superstorm Sandy - Jan. 4, 2013 (credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) – The House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow houses of worship damaged by Superstorm Sandy to receive federal disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The measure, which passed by a 354-72 vote Wednesday, adds houses of worship to the government’s list of private nonprofit organizations eligible for aid. Critics said the measure violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

Sandy roared up the East Coast and pounded several states in late October, especially New York and New Jersey. The storm is blamed for 140 deaths and billions of dollars in residential and business property damage.