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Obama request for Sandy aid could face hurdles

Published: December 8, 2012 Comment on this article

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's proposal for $60.4 billion in aid for states hit by Superstorm Sandy adds a huge new item to an end-of-year congressional agenda already packed with controversy.

photo - FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama, accompanied by members of his Cabinet, speaks at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters in Washington to discuss Superstorm Sandy. From second left are Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan. Obama on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 asked Congress for $60.4 billion in federal aid for New York, New Jersey and other states hit by Superstorm Sandy in late October. It's a disaster whose cost is rivaled only by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama, accompanied by members of his Cabinet, speaks at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters in Washington to discuss Superstorm Sandy. From second left are Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan. Obama on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 asked Congress for $60.4 billion in federal aid for New York, New Jersey and other states hit by Superstorm Sandy in late October. It's a disaster whose cost is rivaled only by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

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Lawmakers from New York, New Jersey and other states had requested significantly more money, but generally praised the request Friday. They're urging Congress to adopt it without delay.

That's no easy task. Washington is laser-focused on the so-called fiscal cliff looming at the end of the year. And tea party House Republicans may demand budget cuts elsewhere to offset costs.

That means the measure could be delayed in whole or in part until next year.

The request blends aid for homeowners, businesses and local governments affected by Sandy, which left millions without power and is blamed for at least 125 deaths.