Obama urges House to approve Sandy aid

— President Barack Obama called for House Republicans to vote Wednesday on superstorm Sandy aid “without delay for our fellow Americans.”

His plea came as New York lawmakers lashed out at a decision by House GOP leaders not to hold a vote in the current Congress.

Reps. Michael Grimm, a Republican, and Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, said in angry House floor remarks that while they did not agree on much, the decision not to vote on the bill would be a crushing blow to states battered by the late October storm.

“There was a betrayal,” said Grimm.

Obama said in a written statement that many people in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are trying to recover from the storm and need “immediate support with the bulk of winter still in front of us.”

The Senate approved a $60.4 billion measure Friday to help with recovery from the storm. The House Appropriations Committee has drafted a smaller, $27 billion measure, and a vote had been expected before Congress’ term ends Thursday at noon.

House Speaker John Boehner pulled the bill Tuesday.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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