Meng, Halloran Call on Congress to Pass Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill

Former political rivals U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-Flushing, and Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, are both calling on Congress to pass a bill to provide relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has come under fire for delaying a vote on a Hurricane Sandy relief package amid fiscal cliff negotiations.

Members of his own party, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-Massapequa Park, as well as a number of Democrats blasted Boehner’s decision.

The speaker and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., released a joint statement on Wednesday in which they said assisting victims of the hurricane “should be the first priority in the new Congress.”

In the meantime, both Meng and Halloran, whom she recently defeated in the race for her House seat, both called on Congress to vote on an emergency aid package for Sandy victims.

“The decision to not vote on the crucial aid package for the victims of Hurricane Sandy is outrageous and unacceptable,” Meng said. “New Yorkers continue to suffer from the havoc Sandy wreaked upon our region and they desperately need help now.”

Halloran said he believes the House should come up with a new, pork-free bill to provide nothing but relief for the storm’s victims.

“Both Republicans and Democrats have played a dangerous game with our citizens’ money and it’s one we can ill afford to continue,” he said. “We need a relief bill that’s about relief and nothing else.”

Is Congressional inaction on the Sandy relief bill upsetting to you? Tell us what you think in the comments.