The porktastic $51 billion Sandy aid package passed by the House Jan. 15 is headed for President Obama’s desk after the Senate voted 62-36 to approve the funds. Sandy aid has been a major public relations headache for the House GOP in particular, with some Republican representatives trying to strip the pork from the bill and others insisting that Congress find a way to offset the cost with spending cuts. Rep. Paul Ryan in particular took a beating in the media and on Twitter for voting against the package; expect the same treatment for high-profile Republican Senators who voted no, including John McCain, Marco Rubio and Mitch McConnell.
https://twitter.com/DanJWeiss/statuses/296039375291183104
For most, especially those from the Middle Atlantic states, the sentiment of the day was, “It’s about time.” It’s not often you hear the government criticized for not spending money fast enough.
Sen Bob Menendez on Senate passing #Sandy bill: 91 days we have been languishing waiting for our government to respond to critical issues..
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 28, 2013
FINALLY! NJ & region will get #SandyRelief funding needed to rebuild neighborhoods, businesses & lives. Must rebuild smarter & stronger.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 28, 2013
After 91 days, Congress finally did what we have always done & should do: stand w/ fellow Americans who are suffering after natural disaster
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) January 28, 2013
Senate passage of $50B #Sandy relief bill sends #NJ communities the federal resources needed to rebuild stronger. http://t.co/3FXTOzkD
— Frank R. Lautenberg (@FrankLautenberg) January 28, 2013
V plsd the Senate has finally approved #Sandy relief funding. As temps drop, this money is crucial for our struggling families.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 28, 2013
To all Americans, we are grateful for their willingness to come to our aid as we take on the monumental task of rebuilding -Govs #Sandy
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 28, 2013
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We pledge to do the same should our fellow citizens find themselves facing unexpected & harsh devastastion – Govs thanking US #Senate #Sandy
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 28, 2013
Great news: the Senate has passed #Sandy funding and we are finally doing right by NY, NJ, and CT. #atlast
— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) January 29, 2013
POTUS applauds congress for passing Hurricane Sandy relief $$, adding he hoped Congress would provide this aid sooner
— Sarah Courtney VOTE411.org (@sarahmcourtney) January 29, 2013
Obama: I am pleased that Congress took bipartisan action to provide funding for the communities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut…
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 29, 2013
… and a whole bunch of other places. That’s a lot of talk about rebuilding smarter and stronger. As long as it all goes to a good cause, right?
@SenThadCochran @fema So how much of the $50B is actually going to NJ, NY & other Hurricane Sandy victims? How much is in pork?
— Marcie Dreyer (@MarcieDreyer) January 29, 2013
I wonder how much pork is in $50billion Sandy Relief bill? My guess is a lot.
— Mitch west (@mitchwest77) January 28, 2013
$150 million of the Sandy bill is going to fisheries in Alaska. #PoliSci #pork
— Kevin (@KvMcN) January 28, 2013
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Update:
Gov. Chris Christie, who harshly ripped the House GOP for pausing to ask what was in the package before passing it, sent his thanks and pledged reciprocation in the form of a joint statement with New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Our genuine thanks & gratitude goes out to the U.S. Senate for its thoughtful consideration & passage of the #Sandy disaster relief package.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 29, 2013
To all Americans, we’re grateful for their willingness to come to our aid as we take on the monumental task of rebuilding…(con’t)
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 29, 2013
…and we pledge to do the same should our fellow citizens find themselves facing unexpected and harsh devastation.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 29, 2013
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