Republican Congressman Michael Grimm of New York says arguments against the Hurricane Sandy relief bill are not valid.
Fiscal conservatives are voicing concerns over passing the relief package that goes to the House floor Tuesday. They want to offset recovery money with new spending cuts in addition to funding cuts for projects they say are unrelated to Sandy.
“I fully understand their concern overall, their general argument that we are spending money we don’t have and we have to get spending under control,” said Rep. Grimm on Jansing & Co. “This is an exception. I understand their argument but I don’t think that argument is valid during such times as a natural disaster.”
The total package is worth $50.7 billion and a New York Times editorial points out “there might be as many as 15 amendments to reach the House floor, which would mean at least 15 chances to cut the financing or make the package unacceptable to the Senate.”
“To pick that fight during a natural disaster, just is not smart politics in my opinion,” Rep. Grimm told msnbc’s Chris Jansing. “I think it is very misguided and it sends the wrong message.”
Despite the opposition, Rep. Grimm said he is confident the relief bill will pass.
Bryan Weakland