The U.S. House has approved setting aside 80 percent of fines from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill for environmental restoration work on the Gulf Coast.

Late Thursday, the House voted to add an amendment setting aside 80 percent of the fines to the Gulf Coast. The amendment was added to a surface transportation bill offered by U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.

A similar amendment is being pushed in the Senate, which still hasn't approved setting aside the money.

The restoration funds would come from billions of dollars in fines BP PLC. is expected to pay for damage caused by the April 2010 oil spill in the Gulf.

If the Senate approves similar language, it would still have to make the cut in any final highway bill Congress passes.

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