New York lawmakers blast Congress for no Sandy aid vote - KMSP-TV

Several local lawmakers are blasting Congress for failing to hold a vote on superstorm Sandy aid.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate financial bill that will prevent the U.S. economy from falling off the fiscal cliff.  But Congress failed to vote on the $60.4B superstorm Sandy relief bill.

Gov. Chris Christie is calling the House of Representative's failure to act "inexcusable."

Christie issued a joint statement with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday lambasting Congress's failure to approve the emergency aid measure.

Christie and Cuomo say it's been 66 days since the storm hit, and nearly a month since President Obama proposed an aid package which was passed by the Senate.

Both governors say the House's move to allow the bill to die was an unprecedented failure to respond to a devastating natural disaster that has impacted thousands of American lives.

Reps. Michael Grimm, a Republican, and Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, said on the House floor Wednesday that while they did not agree on much, House Speaker John Boehner's decision would be a crushing blow to states battered by the late October storm.

The Senate approved a $60.4 billion measure Friday to help with recovery from the storm that devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and nearby states. The House Appropriations Committee has drafted a smaller, $27 billion measure, and a vote had been expected before Congress' term ends Thursday at noon.

It was a surprise move that stunned Rep. Steve Israel (D-LI.) He spoke with Good Day NY on Wednesday.

"In the very last minute they pulled the rug from under us. When it came to New Yorkers and people in NJ they said no. It is simply indefensible. There is going to be a delay in getting these funds to the people who need them. It was John Boehner and Eric Cantor who turned their backs on New Yorkers and New Jerseyans," said Israel.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.