FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 2, 2013

Speaker Silver Urges House to Take Action on Sandy Relief Package


It is morally reprehensible that the House Republican leadership refused to take up the Sandy relief aid bill last night, a package with strong bi-partisan support in the Senate. As Governor Cuomo said, to abandon thousands of people devastated by a disaster is wrong and disgraceful. Many areas up and down the east coast, including much of my lower Manhattan district, have been damaged. And now, because of trivial political maneuvering, people and families will continue to suffer.

There is no more fundamental duty of a public servant than to come to people's aid in times of crisis. Congress' refusal to act slows recovery and rebuilding and threatens the well-being of those affected by this tragedy. With their failure to take action, House Republican leaders have failed in their mission to serve those in need. I urge the House of Representatives to pass this aid package now.