Thursday, January 3, 2013

Republicans Blast Delayed Sandy-Aid Vote

WASHINGTON�House Speaker John Boehner's surprise move to cancel a vote on a $60 billion package meant to help Northeastern states rebuild after superstorm Sandy set off an explosion of Republican infighting Wednesday that ended only when the speaker agreed to bring the measure to the floor in mid-January.

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Close New Jersey Governor's Office/Associated Press

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Speaker Boehner and the House majority were to blame for Sandy victims' continued suffering.

Mr. Boehner, an Ohio Republican, had infuriated Northeastern lawmakers and governors from both parties late Tuesday by deciding to hold off on a vote on the aid package until after the new Congress is sworn in Thursday�potentially pushing it into late January or February.

Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.) said the move betrayed the people of New York and New Jersey and that local donors�a consistent source of campaign contributions for the GOP�would now be "crazy" to donate to the party. Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey pointed his finger directly at Mr. Boehner in a blistering news conference, saying he and the House majority were to blame for the continued suffering of Sandy victims.

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