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Furious Chris Christie Rips John Boehner Over Canceled Sandy Vote in Heated Presser

Jan. 2, 2013 3:18pm Madeleine Morgenstern

A furious New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie unloaded on House Speaker John Boehner Wednesday following the cancellation of a promised vote for Hurricane Sandy relief, saying the people of his state were “played last night as a pawn” by his own Republican Party.

“There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims,” Christie said after the 11th-hour decision to scrap the vote. “The House majority and their speaker, John Boehner. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. National disasters happen in red states and blue states and states with Democratic governors and Republican governors. We respond to innocent victims of natural disasters not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. Or at least we did until last night.”

Christie said he had been given personal assurance that the $60 billion aid bill would go before the House on Tuesday. The Senate passed the measure last week. With Congress’ term coming to a close on Thursday, members will have to start from scratch to help the hundreds of thousands affected by the megastorm.

“Last night, the House majority failed the most basic test of leadership and they did so with callous disregard to the people of my state,” Christie said. “Our people were played last night as a pawn. That’s why people hate Washington.”

Christie said he has yet to be given a “substantive, credible reason” for why the bill wasn’t put to a vote. He said he tried to reach Boehner four times Tuesday night to find out what happened, but “he did not take my calls.”

“Sixty-six days and counting [since Sandy],” Christie said. “Shame on you. Shame on Congress.”

Christie’s criticisms echoed those of Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), who said earlier on Wednesday that New Yorkers shouldn’t give a penny to House Republicans after Tuesday’s “knife in the back.”

But National Review’s Daniel Foster and Betsy Woodruff each pushed back against the outrage that has erupted since Tuesday night. Foster wrote:

[T]he Sandy “relief” bill is really a Sandy “recovery” bill. It’s about the size and shape of the second wave of Sandy spending, which can and should be much more deliberate than the the first wave. The first wave of Sandy spending is already happening. Is it happening quickly or efficiently enough? There is no such thing as quickly or efficiently enough for the people of Staten Island or Seaside Heights, but it’s nevertheless safe to assume that if you think private charities and emergency responders aren’t allocating efficiently, you’re probably going to be disappointed by Congress, too. In fact, according to an analysis released by Sens. Coburn and McCain, “64 percent of the $60.4 billion in ‘emergency’ spending in this legislation will not be spent for nearly two years.

And among some of the provisions in the Senate-passed bill:

•$2 million to repair damage to the roofs of museums in Washington, D.C., while many in Hurricane Sandy’s path still have no roof over their own heads.

•$150 million for fisheries as far away from the storm’s path as Alaska.

•$125 million for the Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Watershed Protection program, which helps restore watersheds damaged by wildfires and drought.

•$20 million for a nationwide Water Resources Priorities Study.

•$15 million for NASA facilities, though NASA itself has called its damage from the hurricane ‘minimal.’

•$50 million in subsidies for tree planting on private properties.

This post has been updated.

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Comments (230)

FlowerBell
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:46pm
Christie should spend the rest of his life being upset and disappointed. He personally helped to make sure the next four years of many others will be miserable. Worthless turncoat.

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Redhawke
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:46pm
Yes!! A RINO fight.

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Tigress1
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:46pm
Oh shut up Christie! Go kiss Obama’s **** again. Get the money out of Obama’s “stash”.

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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:45pm
And where is your Fuhrer Obama there Crispy Creme ? On Vacation as usual. Get him on the Horn. He thinks Money grows on Trees. I’m sure he will give you all you want, especially if you give him Hugs like usual. This is making my day.

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M13
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:45pm
Good luck with that run for higher office in 2016 Chris.

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- qualityrkc
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 6:52pm
  Cmon let’s be serious. Conservatives are going to vote for the repub nominee regardless. If you voted for romney you will vote for anyone with an r next to their name.
  
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ferggie
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:44pm
Hay dumb2$$ get the pork out of the bill. I am sick of these over spending POS.

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mellowlady
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:44pm
Why do they need money? If the people didn’t buy their own insurance then screw em. Next time buy insurance, quit asking for handouts.

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Dom321
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:43pm
Payback SUCKS, doesn’t it RINO?

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ghostsouls
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:43pm
Aww comeon Chris…just invite obama down for another walk on the beach, maybe this time a moonlit walk on the beach, and then beg for your money. You surely had to know what ever obama promised you before the election was never going to come to fruition.

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- Chromo200
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:50pm
  Excellent .. A good second photo op.
  
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CWPrequired
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:43pm
Proof he’s not fit to be on the ticket 2016! Just wants his money at the exp of the tax payer.

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rosegrower
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:43pm
Christie has to know it was the Dems who played his people for pawns. They added so much pork to the Sandy Relief bill that it looks more like refuse from the Armour Hot Dog factory. Get over it, Chris, and lay blame where it truly belongs.

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humba-labumbala-seebala-bumbala
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:42pm
What’s the matter, Gov? Are you concerned about the fisheries in Alaska or the improvements to Gitmo? How did FEMA or whoever get these estimates? $60Billion: Have we gotten any estimates from construction companies?
If I’m having work done on my house; I ask for an estimate first and compare prices.
Are you the kind of guy that walks on to a car lot, looks at the sticker in the window and starts writing a check? Have you noticed that $ 60 Billion will pretty much eliminate the (Unsubstantial) spending cuts that were just passed? Please!!! Don’t be a Jack-A$$!!!

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Exidor
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:42pm
Chrissy, just switch parties already.

lol…feel like an Obama one night stand?

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OJMDC
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:42pm
When did it become the federal government’s responsibility to provide financial aid or assistance for disasters? I grew up in Oklahoma with looming tornadoes every spring. Luckily, I never faced a disaster but we never expected any government (city, state or federal) to provide financial aid if such an event were to happen. We know aid would have been provided by the Church, friends and family.

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rfycom
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:41pm
Cry, cry, cry. Your big fat, stubborn, sassy, republican, who most of you wanted to run for president, has a heart after all. He is representing his people. PERIOD. Cry, cry, cry. Get used to it. Your children are making you right wingers extinct. Embrace the change my nose miners. Now, I love all yall. I just don’t like the Donald Trupp style Jesus yall all worship these days.

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- FlowerBell
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:50pm
  And your children will do the same to you. Reality as you know it will eventually become passe. Get used to that bird-brain.
  
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stevetherealist
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:40pm
when the chips are down thats what you get from the republicans….not a care. Although I usually love to watch you eat your own this one is takes the cake. 6 months ago you all loved this guy. I quess judging character isn’t your strong suit. Thats been obvious for some time now. LMAO

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- Chromo200
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:56pm
  We loved him because he was on the track we loved, but he changed so he gets thrown out. That is what we true conservatives do not like the progressives keep the rotten apples in the barrel to rot the rest.
  
  Yes we turn our backs on people who let us down.
  
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- yiska8
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 4:27pm
  @chromo
  Exactly. Tea Party conservatives in particular will not stand by and be screwed by wishy washy representation. It’s hard line all the way. You cannot be a conservative and a RINO. If you screw us, you’re out. That’s the power of the vote. Too bad Dems have become the party of the Bolsheviks. I’m no longer referring to them as liberals, as that defintion no longer applies. A true liberal would not want government in their lives or being treated like a child in a nanny state, but it’s the opposite. Bolsheviks, yup, that is their new name in my book. Dirty, lying, cold, Godless… Bolsheviks. everything that goes wrong from here on out is the fault of every Godless Bolshevik and RINO who kow-tows to them for a little disaster aid. They’re all the same.
  
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yougottabekidding
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:39pm
Not red or blue. Just what the heck is it Chrissy.
Why do you want me to pay for a package for Sandy when most of it
goes to other then sandy victims.
What you should be complaining about is the pork put in there stealing
my money, not going to your state and victims.

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gabrielarchangel
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:38pm
No Governor. The fault is on those dirty rats whom add all the pork to these bills. I see he is preparing for a new campaign as a lefty to stay in power. We saw your colors right before the election. Punk!

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Plan B
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:38pm
They will pass it in two weeks, pork and all. It was fun watching this on c span last night though.

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Zorro1
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:38pm
Dear Gov –
Their is no Republican Party. You helped kill it. Why do you keep driving nails into itrs coffin?

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FANGS
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:37pm
Unfortunately Harry Reid and the Democrats never passed a budget. So now there’s no back up funds Budgeted for Emergencies. America will stop the Democrat spending if we have to remove them by force. 2013 will be a year of Revolts, Riots and wars. America will stop obama.

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sledgehammer44
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:36pm
Here’s an idea, Get your house in order and start a rainy day fund so when an emergency or hurricane comes up you have the money set aside to help your people. Then you don’t have to beg Washington for money!! Last I heard all 50 States were supposed to be Sovereign!!

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txjb
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:35pm
Christie , you are campaigning again ! question , did you notice all the pork ?

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jrcess
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:35pm
Christy is the fat ***** that betrayed the republican party. This fat ***** to make a remark about this is total bullcrap. When the country needed his support he was sucking up and kissing Obama’s ass. I do not blame the Speaker. Now, fatty, how does it feel when the shoe is on the other foot?

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LOJ
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 3:35pm
Yes, It was loaded up with Pork…Thats the way the Dems slip in their entitlements while no one is looking…Congressman Pete King was P’OD too. All in all I’m very sorry for the Hurricane victims who need help now!

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