# What was the rationale in House Repubs blowing off the Sandy aid vote? NJ & NY Repubs are pissed! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877 "2013-01-02T20:46:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/1 "2013-01-02T20:46:34Z")
I don’t get it. There does not seem to be an upside in doing this. The mid atlantic Republicans and other politicians with districts in [Sandy’s path are absolutely on fire with anger.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/chris-christie-sandy_n_2396537.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/2 "2013-01-02T21:06:57Z")
I think it was John Boehner’s way of saying, “Does someone else want to be Speaker now?” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/3 "2013-01-02T21:16:29Z")
Maybe they’re so used to blaming Obama(and having it believed), they just figured he would get blamed, not them. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/4 "2013-01-02T22:20:52Z")
The repubs were pissed at the appreciation Gov. Christie publically showed to Pres. Obama right after the storm and went as far as blaming him for what’s his name’s loss. Maybe this is payback. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/5 "2013-01-02T22:24:44Z")
I assumed that letting the bill die was how Boehner got Cantor to agree to a vote on the fiscal cliff. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/6 "2013-01-02T22:35:30Z")
Why? _He described Boehner, variously, as selfish, duplicitous and gutless for reversing course at the last minute on Tuesday night and refusing to allow a vote on a $60-billion aid package before the current Congress adjourned._ If you have a house, a car, or a business that was damaged, it should have been insured privately, and probably paid for by now. What is his outrage for, exactly? What is this aid package supposed to pay for? Is it just infrastructure to get up and running, or what? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/7 "2013-01-02T22:38:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I assumed that letting the bill die was how Boehner got Cantor to agree to a vote on the fiscal cliff. I’m still confused. What’s in it for Cantor (from mid atlantic state Virginia) to delay an appropriation bill for mid-Atlantic flood relief that already has more or less already been approved? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/8 "2013-01-02T22:41:52Z")
This might help - [http://www.disasterassistance.gov/](http://www.disasterassistance.gov/) Non-Gov view of federal disaster relief - [Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage? | Bankrate](http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/federal-disaster-assistance-1.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/9 "2013-01-02T22:43:21Z")
Yes, so people can get back into their houses and businesses and begin to rebuild. I think he’s pissed because he was blindsided. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/10 "2013-01-02T22:44:45Z")
From the [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/nyregion/congressional-members-blast-house-for-ignoring-storm-aid-bill.html), “The proposed $60.4 billion aid bill would cover an assortment of pressing needs. It includes money to help homeowners and small-business owners rebuild from the storm; to repair bridges, tunnels and transportation systems; to reimburse local governments for overtime costs of police, fire and other emergency services; and to replenish shorelines.” ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/11 "2013-01-02T22:58:51Z")
I don’t know if this was their rationale, but I myself think this outrage is itself outragious. It’s unfortunate that the government (aka taxpayers) is becoming more and more responsible to reimburse everyone for all sorts of losses, as long as it happened as part of some heavily publicized Event. And it’s not enough that the government is responsible. But you can’t even delay a vote on it. “I want my money and I want it now!!!” Unfortunate, and a big part of why this country is in the situation it’s in. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/12 "2013-01-02T23:04:22Z")
You genuinely find this puzzling? Christie is far from being the only Republican (and I am sure there are lots of Democrats too), to be extremely upset about this. [New York Republican Representative Peter King has called for people to stop donating to the Republican Party (his own party) because of it!](http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/01/02/peter_king_sandy_aide_house_gop_lawmaker_tells_new_yorkers_to_stop_donating.html) (OK, he probably does not really mean that, but he is seriously pissed.) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/13 "2013-01-02T23:18:14Z")
Good for Christie and the rest. It’s about time somebody in the GOP had the brass to stand up and give the party hell for the way they’re (not) conducting the peoples’ business. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/14 "2013-01-02T23:20:50Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > (OK, he probably does not really mean that, but he is seriously pissed.) He’s actually threatening to leave the party. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/15 "2013-01-02T23:24:22Z")
I think he was pissed because people were posting in the wrong forum. 😉 Reported for forum change. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/16 "2013-01-02T23:32:46Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I think he was pissed because people were posting in the wrong forum. 😉 > > Reported for forum change. MODERATOR NOTE; I’ve merged two threads into one. Sorry if it seems disjointed. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/17 "2013-01-02T23:35:31Z")
The New York Daily News is [reporting](http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sources-hurricane-aid-tabled-spite-article-1.1231561) that the speaker will call for a vote on the first $9 billion on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/18 "2013-01-02T23:44:15Z")
“If you have a house, a car, or a business that was damaged, it should have been insured privately, and probably paid for by now.” Are you not aware that flood insurance is a federal operation? No private insurance pays for any flood damage. Having gone through this during Katrina, I can assure you that private insurance is not any faster than federal flood insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/19 "2013-01-02T23:45:31Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > If you have a house, a car, or a business that was damaged, it should have been insured privately, and probably paid for by now. Ah yes, good old “small government”, aka “Not My Damn Problem, Buddy” Call me a dirty socialist if you like, but that’s no way to run a civilised country. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877/20 "2013-01-02T23:45:35Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Unfortunate, and a big part of why this country is in the situation it’s in. Say, 47% of the problem? 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-rationale-in-house-repubs-blowing-off-the-sandy-aid-vote-nj-ny-repubs-are-pissed/645877.md?page=2)