Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pleas for federal aid in the wake of Hurricane Sandy may pay off, as he received a positive response from D.C. lawmakers on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal (paywall).
Cuomo said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, agreed to support a supplemental appropriations bill that should pass by the end of the year.
"He wanted to get something done this year for New York," Cuomo said, according to the Journal.
Cuomo has now requested $42 billion in aid – more than the Department of Homeland Security asked for this year, the paper points out – while New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wants $36.8 billion.
Some members of Congress have suggested that the huge sums in aid be offset by cuts elsewhere. And at least one hurdle at the aid request’s passing is the looming “fiscal cliff,” a package of tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect at the beginning of the year.
But Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, was optimistic that other states that have been affected by natural disasters will support New York’s efforts to rebuild.
"We are reminding our colleagues that New York was there when Missouri had tornados and North Dakota had floods and Colorado had firestorms and of course the Gulf area had hurricanes," Schumer said, according to the paper. "And now we need you."
