The House of Representatives will not vote on a $60.4 billion disaster relief bill that the Senate approved last Friday to aid Hurricane Sandy victims in New Jersey and New York, including Long Island from Long Beach to the Hamptons, House officials said Tuesday.
WATCH: Outrage in Congress After Sandy Aid Stalls
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, pulled the bill back from a vote that was expected Wednesday after a late night session in Congress on New Year’s Day. Rep. Peter King, R-Seaford, the congressman who is primarily pushing for the emergency aid package, said failure to hold the vote means certain funds that require authorization – including FEMA disaster monies – will be delayed, possibly by another five to six weeks, according to Newsday. Said King:
"Tonight's action not to hold this vote on the supplemental is absolutely indefensible. The bill was ready to go."
Meanwhile, Boehner spokesman, Michael Steel, said the speaker is “committed to getting the bill passed this month,” according to the Associated Press.
The Senate last week passed the emergency aid package by a vote of 63-32.
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