This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/nyregion/congressional-members-blast-house-for-ignoring-storm-aid-bill.html
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| House Ignores Storm Relief, to Fury of Local Republicans | House Ignores Storm Relief, to Fury of Local Republicans |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Elected officials from the New York area erupted with outrage on Wednesday after the House refused to take up a federal aid package for states that suffered damages from Hurricane Sandy, and even local Republicans attacked their Congressional leaders for their inaction. | |
| “I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to Congressional Republicans is out of their minds,” Representative Peter T. King, a Long Island Republican, said during an interview on CNN on Wednesday morning. “Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.” | “I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to Congressional Republicans is out of their minds,” Representative Peter T. King, a Long Island Republican, said during an interview on CNN on Wednesday morning. “Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.” |
| Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, a Republican, furiously accused the Congressional leadership of his own party of “duplicity” and “selfishness,” and called the decision not to hold a vote on the storm-relief measure “irresponsible.” He said the legislation had fallen victim to “palace intrigue,” and “it’s why the American people hate Congress.” | Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, a Republican, furiously accused the Congressional leadership of his own party of “duplicity” and “selfishness,” and called the decision not to hold a vote on the storm-relief measure “irresponsible.” He said the legislation had fallen victim to “palace intrigue,” and “it’s why the American people hate Congress.” |
| And Representative Michael G. Grimm, a Republican from Staten Island, said the failure to vote was a “betrayal.” He urged that action be taken as soon as possible. | And Representative Michael G. Grimm, a Republican from Staten Island, said the failure to vote was a “betrayal.” He urged that action be taken as soon as possible. |
| “It’s not about politics,” Mr. Grimm said. “It’s about human lives.” | “It’s not about politics,” Mr. Grimm said. “It’s about human lives.” |
| Last week, the Senate adopted a $60.4 billion aid package, and New York and New Jersey officials said they had been promised the House would vote on the measure Tuesday night. | Last week, the Senate adopted a $60.4 billion aid package, and New York and New Jersey officials said they had been promised the House would vote on the measure Tuesday night. |
| On Wednesday, as the outcry over the House’s decision not to hold a vote on the measure intensified, President Obama issued a statement calling for an immediate vote. | On Wednesday, as the outcry over the House’s decision not to hold a vote on the measure intensified, President Obama issued a statement calling for an immediate vote. |
| “When tragedy strikes, Americans come together to support those in need,” Mr. Obama said. “I urge Republicans in the House of Representatives to do the same, bring this important request to a vote today, and pass it without delay for our fellow Americans.” | “When tragedy strikes, Americans come together to support those in need,” Mr. Obama said. “I urge Republicans in the House of Representatives to do the same, bring this important request to a vote today, and pass it without delay for our fellow Americans.” |
| Speaker John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, met Wednesday with Republican lawmakers from the region and pledged to advance a portion of the legislation on Friday, providing $9 billion for flood insurance. The rest of the package would come up for a vote by Jan. 15. | |
| “Getting critical aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy should be the first priority in the new Congress, and that was reaffirmed today with members of the New York and New Jersey delegations,” Mr. Boehner said in a joint statement issued with the House majority leader, Republican Eric Cantor, Republican of Virginia. “The House will vote Friday to direct needed resources to the National Flood Insurance Program. And on January 15th, the first full legislative day of the 113th Congress, the House will consider the remaining supplemental request for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.” | |
| Mr. King said that schedule would be acceptable. | Mr. King said that schedule would be acceptable. |
| “This procedure that is laid out is fully acceptable” he said. “Fact is, we are getting what New York and New Jersey needs, and that is what counts.” | “This procedure that is laid out is fully acceptable” he said. “Fact is, we are getting what New York and New Jersey needs, and that is what counts.” |
| Mr. Christie and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat, released a joint statement condemning the decision not to vote on the storm aid bill this week. | Mr. Christie and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat, released a joint statement condemning the decision not to vote on the storm aid bill this week. |
| “With all that New York and New Jersey and our millions of residents and small businesses have suffered and endured, this continued inaction and indifference by the House of Representatives is inexcusable,” they said, adding, “This failure to come to the aid of Americans following a severe and devastating natural disaster is unprecedented.” | “With all that New York and New Jersey and our millions of residents and small businesses have suffered and endured, this continued inaction and indifference by the House of Representatives is inexcusable,” they said, adding, “This failure to come to the aid of Americans following a severe and devastating natural disaster is unprecedented.” |
| Mr. Cuomo, talking with reporters in Albany, went further. He said that House Republicans had “reneged on their word” to vote on the hurricane relief measure this week, and he accused them of “dereliction of duty.” | Mr. Cuomo, talking with reporters in Albany, went further. He said that House Republicans had “reneged on their word” to vote on the hurricane relief measure this week, and he accused them of “dereliction of duty.” |
| But Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a political independent, said that although he was “disappointed,” he would not criticize the Republican leadership. He told reporters in New York City that he had been talking with Mr. Boehner and that “he assured me that this would be considered in the month of January.” | But Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a political independent, said that although he was “disappointed,” he would not criticize the Republican leadership. He told reporters in New York City that he had been talking with Mr. Boehner and that “he assured me that this would be considered in the month of January.” |
| The bill was apparently delayed by its bad timing. It was eclipsed by negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over a plan intended to avert a series of tax increases and spending cuts that automatically took effect in the new year. | The bill was apparently delayed by its bad timing. It was eclipsed by negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over a plan intended to avert a series of tax increases and spending cuts that automatically took effect in the new year. |
| Senator Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, suggested that the aid request was harmed by its size. | Senator Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, suggested that the aid request was harmed by its size. |
| “Sometimes when you ask for too much, you don’t get anything,” Mr. Blunt told CNN. | “Sometimes when you ask for too much, you don’t get anything,” Mr. Blunt told CNN. |
| As word spread that the House would not bring up the bill for a vote late Tuesday night, lawmakers from both parties who represent people in some of the hardest-hit areas began to speak out. | As word spread that the House would not bring up the bill for a vote late Tuesday night, lawmakers from both parties who represent people in some of the hardest-hit areas began to speak out. |
| Representative Nita M. Lowey, a Democrat from Westchester County, said Tuesday, “I truly feel betrayed this evening.” | Representative Nita M. Lowey, a Democrat from Westchester County, said Tuesday, “I truly feel betrayed this evening.” |
| By Wednesday morning, the anger was even sharper. | By Wednesday morning, the anger was even sharper. |
| “Denying emergency aid” to the storm’s victims “is a new low for House Republicans,” said Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey. “When our neighbors in other states are knocked down by emergency events, we put partisan politics aside and extend a helping hand to help them get back up. Helping struggling families recover from disasters has never been a partisan issue in Washington and it never should be. | “Denying emergency aid” to the storm’s victims “is a new low for House Republicans,” said Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey. “When our neighbors in other states are knocked down by emergency events, we put partisan politics aside and extend a helping hand to help them get back up. Helping struggling families recover from disasters has never been a partisan issue in Washington and it never should be. |
| “New Jersey and New York families have been hurt badly by Sandy, and it is shameful that Washington Republicans are adding to their pain by standing in the way of their recovery.” | “New Jersey and New York families have been hurt badly by Sandy, and it is shameful that Washington Republicans are adding to their pain by standing in the way of their recovery.” |
| Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, blamed Mr. Boehner. The senator said the speaker’s “failure to allow a vote on Sandy bill is a disgrace.” | Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, blamed Mr. Boehner. The senator said the speaker’s “failure to allow a vote on Sandy bill is a disgrace.” |
| Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, issued a blistering statement on Wednesday, calling the inaction “indefensible and shameful.” She called on Mr. Boehner to visit damaged neighborhoods on Staten Island and in the Rockaways, but said, “I doubt he has the dignity nor the guts to do it.” | Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, issued a blistering statement on Wednesday, calling the inaction “indefensible and shameful.” She called on Mr. Boehner to visit damaged neighborhoods on Staten Island and in the Rockaways, but said, “I doubt he has the dignity nor the guts to do it.” |
| “Speaker Boehner should call his members back for an up-or-down vote today and allow them to vote their consciences,” she said. “Anything less is an insult to New York.” | “Speaker Boehner should call his members back for an up-or-down vote today and allow them to vote their consciences,” she said. “Anything less is an insult to New York.” |
| The proposed $60.4 billion aid bill would cover an assortment of pressing needs. It includes money to help homeowners and small-business owners rebuild from the storm; to repair bridges, tunnels and transportation systems; to reimburse local governments for overtime costs of police, fire and other emergency services; and to replenish shorelines. | The proposed $60.4 billion aid bill would cover an assortment of pressing needs. It includes money to help homeowners and small-business owners rebuild from the storm; to repair bridges, tunnels and transportation systems; to reimburse local governments for overtime costs of police, fire and other emergency services; and to replenish shorelines. |
| The bill that passed in the Senate included $11 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund and $11.7 billion to help pay for repairs to New York’s subways and for other mass transit damages from the storm and to help protect the systems from future storms. | The bill that passed in the Senate included $11 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund and $11.7 billion to help pay for repairs to New York’s subways and for other mass transit damages from the storm and to help protect the systems from future storms. |
| There was also $17 billion for community development block grants, mainly targeted to helping homeowners repair or replace their homes. | There was also $17 billion for community development block grants, mainly targeted to helping homeowners repair or replace their homes. |
| The bill also provided billion of dollars for the federal government’s flood insurance program and for the Army Corps of Engineers. | The bill also provided billion of dollars for the federal government’s flood insurance program and for the Army Corps of Engineers. |
| That package would fall far short of the $82 billion that governors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have said is needed to continue cleaning up and rebuilding after the storm. | That package would fall far short of the $82 billion that governors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have said is needed to continue cleaning up and rebuilding after the storm. |
| But leaders from the region nonetheless embraced it as a good start that would enable local governments, businesses, homeowners and others hurt by the storm to undertake rebuilding projects with the confidence that federal aid was on the way. | But leaders from the region nonetheless embraced it as a good start that would enable local governments, businesses, homeowners and others hurt by the storm to undertake rebuilding projects with the confidence that federal aid was on the way. |
Raymond Hernandez contributed reporting from Washington, Thomas Kaplan from Albany and David W. Chen from New York. | Raymond Hernandez contributed reporting from Washington, Thomas Kaplan from Albany and David W. Chen from New York. |