Cuomo: failure to vote on storm aid is 'disgrace'

Cuomo: failure to vote on storm aid is 'disgrace'

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the House of Representatives' failure to vote on an aid package for damage from Superstorm Sandy is a disgrace, a dereliction of duty, and an unprecedented failure.

Cuomo, a Democrat, said he was told to expect the vote within a month. The Republican leadership of the House had assured a vote would be taken by Tuesday night.

Cuomo was asked if he is less optimistic now about getting the money. He said he is getting the same assurances now that House leaders went into recess Tuesday.

Cuomo also praised Republican congressmen from New York for their efforts, singling out Rep. Peter King of Long Island.

King called the postponement a knife to the back of New Yorkers.

The Senate has already passed a $60.4 billion aid package.

A GOP lawmaker said Speaker John Boehner has assured a vote on Sandy aid by January 15.

---

JOINT STATEMENT OF GOVERNORS CUOMO AND CHRISTIE ON CONGRESSIONAL FAILURE TO PASS HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF PACKAGE

"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. It has now been 66 days since Hurricane Sandy hit and 27 days since President Obama put forth a responsible aid proposal that passed with a bi-partisan vote in the Senate while the House has failed to even bring it to the floor. This failure to come to the aid of Americans following a severe and devastating natural disaster is unprecedented. The fact that days continue to go by while people suffer, families are out of their homes, and men and women remain jobless and struggling during these harsh winter months is a dereliction of duty. When American citizens are in need we come to their aid. That tradition was abandoned in the House last night.

"The people of our states can no long afford to wait while politicians in Washington play games."