House abandons voting on Hurricane Sandy aid package

Image source: TPM

We first heard about this on CBS 880 radio this morning, that the House decided to not vote on a Senate-approved $60.4 billion aid package for Hurricane Sandy victims. Not surprisingly, harsh criticism came from local NY politicians, like Long Island Representative Peter King (R-NY) – “This is indefensible. We have a moral obligation to hold this vote.” – and NYC Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) – “It’s unprecedented, disgusting, unworthy of the leadership of this House. They should reconsider or they should hang their heads in shame.” Other words like “heartless,” “betrayal,” and “disgrace” also passed the lips of some representatives, Republican and Democrat alike.

This is a harsh reality for those still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, such as folks in the Rockaways, where some people still do not have heat and hot water. And those that do have water are unsure as to the safety of it. Houses are still of their foundations and sand still covers some of the streets there. Local Rockaway Park resident Phyllis Cavazzina says “It’s disgraceful. They told us to basically drop dead.” She says her neighborhood still looks “like a war zone.”

It could be 4-5 weeks before the new House (the current one is at the end of its term) takes a vote on an aid package. The House Republican leaders in their draft of the bill split the aid package into two – $27 billion for immediate emergency funding, and a $33 billion for longterm projects, like making preparations for future hurricanes and/or super storms. Abandoning a vote means that the Senate’s $60.4 billion Sandy bill will die. FEMA has enough money to last until February.

Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Boehner said, “The speaker is committed to getting this bill passed this month.”

Lawmakers Outraged After House GOP Scraps Vote On Sandy Aid [CBS]
Breezy Point and Midland Beach Residents Say They Need Sandy Aid [WNYC]
Boehner committed to move Hurricane Sandy relief bill in January [The Hill]
‘They told us to basically drop dead!’ Angry New York residents and pols fuming over latest Sandy snub [NYDN]