Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement after the House Republican leadership decided not to vote on any Hurricane Sandy relief legislation before adjourning.  The Senate already passed a measure providing $60 billion to the affected areas.  The relief bill will need to start over when the new Congress is sworn in on Thursday.

“I’ve been a Member of Congress since 1989 and I have never been angrier than I am right now.  It is unfathomable that the Speaker is not bringing a bill to a vote to help the people of New York, New Jersey, and the other surrounding states affected by the absolute devastation suffered after Hurricane Sandy.  People lost their lives.  People lost their homes.   Entire neighborhoods were completely altered.  Democrats and Republicans were affected.  I cannot believe Republican Leadership has forgotten the main purpose of public service – to protect and help the American people.  It is especially disappointing considering the House leadership made a commitment to bring the bill up before we adjourned.  There is still time for them to change their minds.  We can vote on this anytime in the next day and a half.  The people of New York deserve better treatment than this.”

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