Local lawmakers blast Congress for no Sandy aid vote
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NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Sunday, June 16 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-17 00:46:40 GMT
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:19:15 GMT
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:46:35 GMT
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Friday, June 14 2013 3:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 19:02:28 GMT
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:27:36 GMT
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Motorists are seeing stable prices at the pumps in New Jersey.AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.40, the same price as last week. It's also the same price motorists were paying a year ago.The national average price also remained stable, coming in at $3.63 for the second straight week.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Motorists are seeing stable prices at the pumps in New Jersey.AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.40, the same price as last week. It's also the same price motorists were paying a year ago.The national average price also remained stable, coming in at $3.63 for the second straight week.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:22 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:22:14 GMT
Fox 5 did not notice any strapless dresses watching students arrive Friday night at a dance for Readington Middle School in New Jersey. That is exactly what the principal wanted.
Fox 5 did not notice any strapless dresses watching students arrive Friday night at a dance for Readington Middle School in New Jersey. That is exactly what the principal wanted.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:13:07 GMT
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-06-15 00:38:50 GMT
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.