You know you are on the wrong side of an issue when your own party members are yelling at you. Republicans slammed Republicans on their refusal to vote on Hurricane Sandy relief. No surprise, the resistance came from those who weren't affected by the storm. If Sandy hit a red state, the green would be flowing.

The Republican-led House of Representatives approved a deal late last night that will keep tax rates the same for most Americans. Lawmakers passed a Senate-approved bill that would only raise taxes on individuals earning more than $400,000 a year and couples earning more than $450,000.

The late-night deal avoided the so-called "fiscal cliff" crisis, but Hurricane Sandy victims must wait longer for federal assistance. House Speaker John Boehner at first canceled a vote on the $60 billion aid package, then announced this afternoon lawmakers would vote on a smaller, $9 billion aid package this Friday. The rest of the money will be put to a vote on January 15th.

Criticism on postponing Sandy aid drew sharp responses from New York's elected officials. Governor Cuomo called it a disgrace, while Long Island Republican Peter King called the decision by his party leader "absolutely inexcusable, absolutely indefensible." What do you say?

What's your reaction to Republican lawmakers postponing the vote on Hurricane Sandy relief? Do you agree with the deal reached that only raises taxes on the wealthiest Americans? How confident are you that Washington lawmakers are working in your best interest?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I understand that this deal had to be made in order to avoid an economic calamity, but I'm disappointed that the president did not stand firm on the $250,000 threshold which would have generated more revenues; and it seems to me that republicans are so upset about raising taxes that they are taking it out on Sandy hurricane victims.

Felix
Bay Ridge

United States CITIZENS have to wait for federal disaster aid, but a foreign nation gets help as soon as the dust clears, SHAME on them! We The People should have the right to walk in and tell each and every one of them 'You're Fired...Just get out, your performance is grossly lacking in this job.'

Terry, still have no heat or FIRST FLOOR if any of them are reading/listening, in Hamilton Beach

THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF WAS A RUSE CREATED BY BOEHNER WHO FEARS A COUP FROM KANTOR FOR HIS SPEAKERSHIP AND ITS APPROPRIATE SINCE REPUBLICANS ARE TROGLODYTES WHO COMMIT TREASON REGULARLY. WHAT IF THEIR 1% CONSTITUENCY HAD A TORNADO OR TSUNAMI DESTROY THEIR GOLF COURSES AND GATED COMMUNITIES? I ASSURE YOU THAT VOTE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN DELAYED. THE GOP IS NEAR DEATH ANYWAY SO IT DOESNT MATTER BUT THIS COUNTRY WILL BE BETTER OFF WHEN IT GOES THE WAY OF THE WHIG PARTY. MONEYED CLASS WITHOUT ANY.

JS
FLUSHING

WHEN THE TOPIC OF A PAY INCREASE CAME UP FOR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN, IT WAS VOTED ON IN A TIMELY FASHION PASSED AND NO $ WAS POSTPONED

WHEN KATRINA STRUCK LOUISIANA EVERYONE AND THEIR BROTHER RAN TO HELP AN AREA THAT WAS BUILT BELOW WATER TO BEGIN WITH, SPENDING BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON SEAWALLS, LEVEES, AND FLOOD GATES.

THE GREATEST COMMUNITY IN THE WHOLE WORLD, THE TRI-STATE AREA, HAS TO WAIT FOR CRITICAL ESSENTIAL, LONG OVERDUE REPAIR MONEY?

HEY FLOOD INSURANCE STINKS AS I HAVE IT IN BOTH MY HOMES AND IT STILL ISN’T PAYING THE GOING RATE FOR A REPLACEMENT BARE BONES BATHROOM.

AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TELLS ME FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FEMA.

WHAT AM I PAYING INSURANCE FOR IF I HAVE TO BEG FOR FEMA $

THEY ALL STINK, REVOKE THE ALLSTATE FLOOD AND AUTO INSURANCE PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK STATE, BECAUSE THE ROMAN TAX COLLECTORS ARE RUNNING THAT SHOW AS WELL

BUTCH
SHEEPSHEAD BAY

HI John,

Cuomo is part of the problem and not the solution. None of these city, state and federal governments have followed through on anything to help these poor people that lost everything. All any of them worried about was to take their photo ops. They should all leave and we should put people in charge that we pay for to take our interest at heart and not theirs and by that I mean they give and give just to buy votes and we are sick of it. Cuomo wants to distribute the money as he sees fit. Where are all of our tax dollars? Where is all of lottery money going? No one will give us an answer. You are all greedy. They have not accomplished anything at all.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

John,

The cliff bill didn't do enough. There should have been enormous tax reductions and repeal of all the regulations that require taxation. Re Sandy rebuild funding, this scandal was created by the ever increasing dependence on government. When you can use the government to rob Peter to pay Paul, what incentive does Paul have to work and earn his own way?

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Unfortunately, NYC and surrounding Hurricane Sandy impacted areas are not viewed as still hurting and in serious need of aid. When the world sees Times Square as doing just fine they have no clue how many people are getting the shaft by Insurance Companies and other agencies that are passing the buck. People have paid their insurance payments on time for years for fear of having their policies lapse and the one time that the people need help the companies start changing definitions of the storm or playing the shell game. Are you kidding me???

Also people in areas hard hit by storms like the south and the midwest take months and years to get funding ...some from Katrina are still not back on tbeir feet but that doesn't sell newspapers! New Yorkers and East coasters have been blessed not to have to experience these conditions until the recent years. Sadly, NYC'ers want things in a NY minute and it just doesn't work like that. The nation is watching and if NYC and others do get speedy help this country is going to go off because they are feeling like second class citizens. In my opinion, our area looks like a third world country right now...your story showed it best....how can a mother and her two children still have no heat...it is 20 degrees for crying outloud. How can people celebrate in the streets while fellow NYers are breathing mold and mildew.

Es una disgracia!
Haiti on the Hudson!
kathy from Throggs Neck da bronx

P.S. I praise all the volunteers who "Saw Something and Did Something!"
BTW Happy New Year and keep up the good work John and team!

I am not surprised at all, exactly what I would have expected from Republicans, they never let me down

Carmen, Bay Ridge

It is beyond my comprehension as to why the needed financial aid is not forthcoming to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. If New York was a red state or a foreign country, the money would have been here already. Why are we in such a hurry to help foreign countries more than helping our own? Remember this on election day. They are definitely not doing what they were sent to Washington to do and instead are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats.

Jean from Canarsie

P.S BY THE WAY, YES THE WEALTHY SHOULD PAY MORE TAXES!!!!!!

Why is there so little press about our social security taxes going up 2%? This is effectively a tax on the lower and middle class, since you stop paying the tax after passing $113,000. This is a major impact on working people.

Frank, Middle Village

Even if they pass the Sandy bill, will the people who need it get it? Where have the funds from the 12-12-12 concert gone to or money collected from Red Cross? There are still people in shelters or at home without heat in the winter and they need decent lodgings not just money pouring into a bureaucracy.

Alan from Coney Island

I think it's a crying sad shame for the victims. It seems that congress has forgotten who put there and who they suppose to be representing . We the should now know who they are really looking out for. And it's not the people they suppose to represent. They get voted in and forget about the small people. We the people need to rethink who we put in office or congress to represent us. They go there with their own agenda without the peoples interest. It's time to get those people out of those positions.

Justo

There is a rumor that House Speaker Boehner chose to delay the vote on the Sandy relief bill due to a huge spat he had with Majority Leader Eric Cantor, becaue Cantor didn't want to vote for the Fiscal Cliff bill. If true, Boehner should lose his Speakership and perhaps be expelled from the House...for such a petty & juvenile decision that effects 15 million people.

-Dan from Rego Park

John,

Tell all those senators to go and look at the faces of all these displaced children from Sandy...this is a just another political statement made against New York. Disappointment is putting it mildly how i feel about my family members still having no place to live or the funds to repair. It's an outrage.

H. Weiler
SI NY

The Congress has their own agenda. If their families were effected there would be no hesitation on passing it. Its a shame that our own citizen are still without heat and electrity. Theres never a hesitation to send money to other countries, or find the money for a war that should have never been started cause bush had his own agenda, to get the people who threaten his father.

Robert
Staten Island

I'm a little ticked off about what congress did. It almost the same as Ford telling New York to "Drop Dead". If that's the case, we'll be strong enough to bounce back. We did it before then, and we can do it again

Mike from Morningside

failure of washington to help during a disaster is nothing new its happening all over our country with hurricanes ,tornado, blizzards. I only hope that when elections come up again that we remember and send all the politicians packaging

Efrain
Carroll Gardens

John and the Call Staff -

Yes, it truly is an outrage for this recent lack of action by Congress. I can see now how the voter participation rates have been Iower especially in non-Presidential election cycles. I have no confidence that Congress is working toward the interests of the public. The lack of concern towards the New York/ New Jersey region to vote on funding to help is only the latest example.

How many years did it take to get Congress to pass the "Stock Act"? Previous to this legislation members of Congress were able to make significant amounts of money investing in companies on information in which only they had access. It took investigative reporting to shine a light on this issue.

John, Oakwood

Congress delayed approving the aid to the northeast as payback for Gov. Christie appearing with Barack Obama before the election. Petty but true. Congress is filled with a bunch of juvenile delinquents. It is time to replace our antique system of government with direct voting on the issues via the Internet.

Michael in Greenpoint

The Republicans are anti-American and should all be put out of office. We need TERM LIMITS for Congress and we have to make sure that they don't pull a fast one like sleazy Bloomberg did (with the aid of Christine Quinn).

Frances
East Village

What ever happened to the money raised by the 12 12 12 concert?

E.

Sandy Aid money to repay states outlays?? Is there any thoughts about the money going to be used to reimburse the states for the moneys they have already spent, and then relief with the leftovers.

Wes
LES