Chris Christie Slams GOP On Sandy Vote, Says ‘Shame On Congress’ [Live]
In a heated press conference, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie slammed Congress and Speaker John Boehner in particular for their inaction on Sandy relief, referring to the “Speaker’s irresponsible action” in allowing residents of New York and New Jersey to suffer for political reasons and letting posturing come ahead of the needs of strapped Sandy victims.
Chris Christie — who huffed that he and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo “unlike people in Congress … have actual responsibilities” — railed on about the “toxic politics of Congress” that allow politicians to “use the citizens of this country like the pawns on a chess board.”
The outspoken Republican governor repeatedly referred to New Jersey and New York contributing more than they ever get back, and excoriated Washington for abandoning the states in their time of need for reasons of political expediency.
Christie also expressed lack of faith in the lawmakers in Washington after the controversial Sandy vote, indicating he had spoke to John Boehner but that “there is no reason for me at the moment to believe anything they tell me.”
Not known to mince words, Christie laid straight into his fellow Republican elected officials, repeatedly referring to “palace intrigue” and telling those gathered at the press conference:
“Last night, the House Majority failed most the basic test of leadership and they did so with callous disregard to the people of my state … It was disappointing and disgusting to watch … Shame on you, shame on Congress.”
Chris Christie just dropped a duffle bag full of mics
— Jared Keller (@jaredbkeller) January 2, 2013
Visibly disgusted, Christie lashed out at those he says are “so consumed with their own internal politics, they forgot they have a job to do.” When a reporter asked about the statement, the governor said he’s “not dealing with the Tea Party,” adding “I’m off it,” and chastising the reporter to “come up with something else.”
Americans suddenly realized today that their country is a wealth-transfer machine from liberals to conservatives businessinsider.com/chris-christie…
— Doug Saunders (@DougSaunders) January 2, 2013
Christie repeatedly refused to disclose what had gone on between he and John Boehner privately, citing a wish to still work with the Speaker in the future — but he did urge leaders to “have some guts” and act on Sandy relief, adding there was no “substantive reason” to oppose providing disaster aid to devastated areas of New York and New Jersey.
Below, Christie’s tweets today on the “fiscal cliff epic battle” versus Sandy relief:
.@nygovcuomo and I are not wallflowers and we are not shrinking violets. We are going to work together to make this happen.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
66 days and counting. Shame on you. Shame on Congress.@nygovcuomo and I will not stop fighting together to get this done. #SandyBill
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
NJ and NY are tired of being treated like second class citizens. We deserve better and America deserves better.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
We have been waiting six times longer than the victims of Katrina there’s no end in site.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
What I watched last night was disappointing and disgusting to watch.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
Natural disasters happen in red states blue states. We respond to these disasters not as Republicans or Democrats we respond as Americans
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
66 days and the wait continues. There is only one group to blame for this delay…
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
10s of thousands of New Jerseyans entered 2013 unsure of their future bc of Sandy.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
When American citizens are in need we come to their aid. That tradition was abandoned in the House last night. #SandyBill
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
…and men and women remain jobless and struggling during these harsh winter months is a dereliction of duty. #SandyBill
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
The fact that days continue to go by while people suffer, families are out of their homes…
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013
.@nygovcuomo and I believe this continued inaction and indifference by the House of Representatives is inexcusable. #SandyBill
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 2, 2013