State Legislators Decry Failure of Federal Aid Package

Senate and Assembly Republican legislators representing Monmouth County municipalities devastated by Superstorm Sandy issued the statement below in response to the House of Representative’ failure to take action on a $60.4B Sandy aid package.

They include Senators Joseph Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck, Sam Thompson and Robert Singer; Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini, Caroline Casagrande and Amy Handlin, and Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon, David Rible, Sean Kean, Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton. Here is the statement as released in its entirety:

“We are appalled at the House of Representatives’ decision to not take action on the Sandy aid package that is so vital to our recovery efforts. Residents and businesses at the Jersey Shore are in dire need of assistance as they try to recover from this historic and unprecedented storm which has adversely affected so many lives.

“Kicking this can down the road is absolutely unacceptable and shows utter contempt and a disturbing lack of compassion for the thousands of our residents and businesses who, in many cases, have lost everything and continue to endure unspeakable hardship. 

“The House’s failure to act at all is as unconscionable as was their earlier efforts to significantly reduce the amount of federal emergency aid. Their lack of action is shameful and inexcusable.”

Gov. Chris Christie held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to express his outrage at the “continued inaction and indifference by the House of Representatives” to act on the desperately needed aid package.