Politics & Government

King Slams Boehner Over No Vote On Sandy Aid Package

Republican congressman says House leadership turns its back on local residents in need.

Republican Peter King on Wednesday slammed his own party’s leadership in the House of Representatives for failing to bring to a vote a $60 billion aid package for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

In an interview with CNN, the congressman said that while the Republican Party has been the party of “family values,” it turned its back on the most essential value of all; providing food, shelter, clothing and relief for people who have been impacted by a natural disaster.

"Anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee should have their head examined," he told CNN.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He placed blame for the lack of a vote on House Speaker John Boehner, noting that Majority Leader Eric Cantor had guaranteed a vote on the aid package.

Other officials including President Obama, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and members of the Long Island congressional delegation have called on Boehner to bring the Sandy aid package to the House floor for a vote.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, King was also one of 85 Repubicans who voted "Yes" Tuesday night on approving the Senate's  fiscal cliff deal.   Boehner supported the deal which sailed through the Senate while Cantor was one of 151 GOP House members who voted "No."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here