WASHINGTON — Gov. Cuomo joined the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut yesterday in blasting Congress for dragging its feet on approving the $60.4 billion Hurricane Sandy disaster-aid request.
“Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina blew through the Gulf Coast in 2005, Congress approved more than $62 billion in federal aid,” the governors said in an op-ed in The Washington Post.
“This marks the seventh week since Sandy made landfall, and Congress has yet to act,” Cuomo said along with Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Gov. Dannel Malloy (D-Conn.).
Senate leaders yesterday said that their disaster aid bill will likely hit the floor for debate on Monday. Democrats will need seven Republican votes in order to overcome a filibuster on the money.
“We’re working on Republicans, we’re not there yet,” Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said yesterday. “Every senator, no matter what their party, ought to think what happens if a disaster strikes their area.”
Meanwhile the Port Authority, which is seeking disaster aid, hired politically connected Washington lobbyist Mitch Rose to aid in the effort.
Rose has deep GOP ties, having worked for former Sens. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) and the late Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).
Rose and the PA declined to comment. His hiring raised eyebrows because the PA has mostly relied on in-house staff to press its case in DC, insiders said.