Christie Lambasts House GOP's 'Toxic Politics' for Delaying Sandy Aid
NJ's governor says House Republicans' moves to delay a Superstorm Sandy relief bill are "disgusting to watch." Christie saved his harshest criticism for House Speaker John Boehner.
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Gov. Chris Christie is placing blame for the lengthy delay in approval of a Superstorm Sandy relief bill squarely on the shoulders of combative U.S. House of Representative Republicans, specifically Speaker John Boehner.
Christie offered a scathing rebuke of Boehner and waffling Republicans during a press conference in Trenton Wednesday afternoon, saying Congress has failed in its primary purpose, to protect its own citizens. Residents of New York and New Jersey are being used as pawns in a game of politics, he said, and that's why this country's citizens "hate" Washington, DC.
"Last night, politics was placed before help for our citizens," Christie said. "For me, it was disappointing and disgusting to watch."
Christie said he and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been working tirelessly with officials of every level of government, all the way to the White House, in an effort to determine the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, and develop a fair relief package.
Both he and Cuomo were given assurances beginning this past weekend and even Tuesday night that the proposed $60.4 billion aid package would be voted on by the House of Representatives as soon as the fiscal cliff was addressed. Congress found a resolution for that, but tabled the Sandy package. If a vote doesn't take place before this Congress is adjourned, work on a relief bill goes back to square one.
Blame for that, Christie said, falls on one man.
"All I can tell you was that this was the speaker's decision, his alone," Christie said about Boehner's apparent decision to table the aid package.
(Click on the YouTube link above to watch part of the governor's press conference.)
Christie began his press conference by offering a disaster roll call. Hurricane Andrew made landfall on Aug. 24, 1992. President George Bush and Congress signed an initial relief package into law in 17 days. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005. In just 10 days, more than $60 billion in aid was signed into law. Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike both caused significant damage when they hit land in 2008. In a little more than two weeks, an aid package was signed into law.
Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey's coast on Oct. 29, causing an estimated $37 billion in property damage in this state alone. It's been 66 days, Christie said, and Congress has done nothing.
Unfortunately, Christie said, the bill could not overcome the "toxic internal politics of the House majority," and for that, he blames Boehner.
Christie said politics have always been put aside when it comes to responding to a disaster. Following this disaster, with Congress caught up in the politics of what he called a "fake fiscal cliff," some leaders crossed the aisle to find a funding solution. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor both took to the floor to petition for the aid package in a moment of bipartisanship Christie said many thought they might never see.
Republican and Democratic leaders from Sandy-impacted states have been joined by Republicans and Democrats in the the Gulf States affected by Katrina in support of the aid package. Christie said he's been on the phone with Cantor, who has promised to continue working toward approving the aid package. Christie called Obama, who promised to do his best.
When Christie called Boehner last night to find out why the Sandy package had been dropped from 112th Congress's to-do list—four times, in fact—he said did not receive a call back.
"New Jersey deserves better than the duplicity we saw on display last night," Christie said. "America deserves better."
Disasters aren't limited to red states or blue states, Christie said. It's a reality many in Congress, but not all, understand. Christie also noted New Jersey and New York's position as donor states, who pay far more in taxes to the federal government each year than they get in return.
Ultimately, Christie said it's up the responsible members of Congress to ensure this bill passes.
“Our only hope is for the good people to prevail in Congress," he said.
Kenneth E. Reynolds
5:39 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
If all politicians were like Governor Christie, What a Wonderful Country This Would Be!
I salute you Governor.
Just doing what's right
6:34 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I love Governor Christie because he makes the hard decisions. He stands up for US citizens, tells it like it is and doesn't care who he upsets when he speaks his mind. He reminds me of Lowell Wicker, Gov. of CT in the 80's who turned the state of affairs around in that state.
Loretka
5:05 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
I totally agree with you.
FbS
7:15 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
He would make an excellent president. He could turn this country around, no question
Rich Wilson
7:25 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Of course, these are the guys in Congress that Christie was traveling around the country last year campaigning for while he was ignoring the higher than average unemployment rate back home. This is HIS party, doing what they believe in...."smaller government" and "individual responsiblitiy." And now that he doesn't get what HE needs, the governor does what he does best,,,goes on a rampage blaming others. I hope he manages to get the aid NJ badly needs, but if this disaster were in another part of the country he would probably be praising the Congress for being fiscally responsible,
Ernest Kraus
7:38 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
As a Christie fan, I am amazed that he did not look at the senate taking but 3 minutes to read and pass a 154 page bill; ditto Mr. Van Embden as well as the pork in the senate bill, which included pork for Amtrak, higher rum excise taxes for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin islands, NASCAR, green energy. What do these have to do with disaster relief?
Legislation, according to the constitution, is to start in the house, not the senate.
No wonder the country is in the mess that it is.
Joe T
9:09 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I like Christie too but he is being a hypocrite. He complains about living within our means and then expects the country to borrow more money because now it impacts NJ. We can't spend what we don't have right Governor?
I would like to see the aid come too especially since NJ pays more than its fair share and gets little in return but not without offsetting cuts and NO PORK. If he were a real leader, he would have called out ALL of the BS in the bill.
Consistency matters
Andre Bademos
10:10 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joe you call Chris Christie a hypocrite for complaining that this sorry excuse for a House leader refused to vote on this bill then in the next sentence said you want to see the state get the money. You even gave an example of why we should. Makes me wonder who the hypocrite is in your comment.
27 billion dollars is automatic it should have been paid out immediately and it is now 10 weeks later. House Republicans did not even have to vote on that amount, why have the House Republicans been intentionally withholding that amount since it is an automatic payment for this type of storm once the State of Emergency was declared. I understand if they want to vote on the additional 33 billion but again why does Cantor and Boehner continue to without the obligated money? Let these people start rebuilding their lives.
Chris Christie is right the actions of Boehner and Cantor are disgraceful.
HomeBrew
10:33 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
NJ always ranks among the lowest states in return on federal tax dollars. Only seems fair that we should get some back when we need it. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/nj_gets_lowest_state_return_on.html
Joe T
10:34 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I'm sorry did the Senate pass a relief bill 10 weeks ago that you can share?
Christie is a hypocrite. He says NO to borrowing but now it's OK.
I suggested it pass with an offset so at least it would not add to the already unsustainable $17 trillion national debt. If that makes me a hypocrite then so be it.
Where are our elected leaders D and R on stopping the PORK and reducing spending if they want to spend more?
BTW did you pay up for enhanced flood insurance or are you hoping taxpayers foot that bill for you?
Andre Bademos
2:58 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joe Taxpayer nobody ever said the Senate passed any such bill, Bills of this type are voted on in the House Of representatives and if passed they are then and only then sent to the Senate to vote on or make changes to and send back to the house to vote again. Maybe if you understood how government works you would not have so much venom towards people that can’t do what you want them to do.
Christie is not a Hypocrite on this subject as he would not be borrowing anything, NOT 1 DIME.
On the other hand, you are the one that suggested the payments bill pass? If you feel that way then why again all the name calling of our Governor? You also suggested House Republicans pass it with an offset? OK, what offset? Instead of using fancy comments that you don’t understand the implications of, tell us what you think they should cut. It’s easy to say cut “Something” like you’re doing it takes brains to actually say something particular to cut. Since you think it's so easy to come up with an “offset” try suggesting one, instead of berating people who are requesting the help the House Republicans promised while trying to buy votes in the November elections. Oh by the way did you know FEMA already does have a budget of $27 Billion approved for this storm. So why do you believe they need some NEW "offset" for that? They need to forward that previously budgeted money immediately not continue to hold it hostage for some imaginary “offset.”
Andre Bademos
3:02 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joe Taxpayer,
In regards to your comments about me paying for enhanced flood insurance; why would I have to? I don’t live in a flood zone. Why don’t you pay for flood insurance Joe Taxpayer? More importantly, what does my insurance options have to do with the victims of hurricane Sandy?
Andre Bademos
3:10 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joe Taxpayer nobody ever said the Senate passed any such bill, Bills of this type are voted on in the House of Representatives and if passed they are then and only then sent to the Senate to vote on or make changes to and send back to the house to vote again. This is why everyone is so mad ad Boehner he promised a vote then pulled it as a vendetta for "Cliff" votes. If you understood how government works you would not have so much venom towards people that can’t do what you want them to do.
Christie is not a Hypocrite on this subject as he would not be borrowing anything, NOT 1 DIME.
On the other hand, you are the one that suggested the payments bill pass? If you feel that way then why again all the name calling of our Governor? You also suggested House Republicans pass it with an offset? OK, what offset? Instead of using fancy comments that you don’t understand the implications of, tell us what you think they should cut. It’s easy to say cut “Something” like you’re doing it takes brains to actually say something particular to cut. Since you think it's so easy to come up with an “offset” try suggesting one, instead of berating people who are requesting the help the House Republicans promised while trying to buy votes in the November elections.FEMA already has a budget of $27 Billion approved. Why do you believe they need a NEW "offset"? They need to forward the previously budgeted money and not continue to hold it hostage for some imaginary “offset.”
FbS
10:39 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
To rebuild the state that that he promised to take care of means to borrow, then so be it.. He IS watching out for the people who elected him... That is his job. .. It was okay when the $ was there for the Katrina disaster because it was in a poor minority area but now that NJ"s disaster was not in that type of area its not okay? Talk about hypocritical..
Joe T
1:34 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
@Frank What I take from your writing is as long as it is coming your way, the borrowing is OK but if it goes someplace else, it's not. For example, if the Mississippi floods this year, it's OK to borrow money again for that? When Katrina hit, we only had about $7 trillion debt and $200B budget deficits....today its $17 trillion and $1 trillion.
And if all this borrowing is OK, when can actually get around to fixing roads, bridges and buildings? Any sign of that legislation that all the hacks promise?
Can you point me in the direction where Gov CC promised to borrow money we can't pay back if some Hurrican took out the Jersey Shore?
Like I keep saying, we should take the aid but ONLY if the costs are offset elsewhere with cuts. Spend neutral would be a BIG CHANGE for the idiots in DC. At least we can claim we didn't ADD to the debt for the fix.
FbS
7:41 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
@ joe- where do you think the $$ should come from to repair the infostructure and such then?
Joe T
8:53 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Well let's see Frank. The fed gov runs a $1.1 trillion deficit so there is really only 2 options. 1. Cut spending elsewhere by $60B to make it neutral and leave the $1.1 trillion deficit where it is or 2.) borrow more and make the deficit $1.16 trillion. I would cut all congress pay and benefits and eliminate all government pensions and then put all government employees on Obamacare. How much would that save to start? Then I would freeze entitlement spending in place from 2010 levels.
Isn't borrowing money we don't have unpatriotic & irresponsible according to POTUS?
@Andre - do you understand deficits and debt? We don't have the money. Sure you can spend more of what you don't have. Seems to be the flavor anyway. Here maybe this helps explain it.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-01-01/putting-americas-tax-hike-perspective
Or you can just watch Gov Christie complaining about the debt that he now supports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LCDcqNUyq7w