Conn. officials angry over loss of Sandy aid

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP/WTNH) — Democrats and Republicans in Connecticut are criticizing the GOP leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives for failing to take up federal financial help to communities and residents hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement that spending federal money now on public works will help reduce the cost of future storms. He also wrote a letter to U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner urging him to vote on a Sandy relief bill.

"It sends a terrible message to the citizens of the affected states that the leadership of the House of Representatives feels no sense of urgency, with winter upon us, to aid fellow citizens in their great time of need as the Congress has done time and again when other natural disasters have devastated communities elsewhere in the country," Malloy wrote.

LINK: Read Gov. Malloy's letter .

In Washington, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes spent a minute on the House floor urging that a vote be taken. [Click on video, left.]  Rep. Joe Courtney also spoke on the House floor. [ Link to video ]

Republican State Rep. Brenda Kupchick of Fairfield, which was heavily damaged by the Oct. 29 storm, said she is very disappointed that her constituents must wait for relief.

The Senate approved a $60.4 billion measure Friday to help with recovery from the storm that pounded the Northeast. The House Appropriations Committee has drafted a smaller, $27 billion measure and a vote had been expected before Congress' term ends at noon Thursday.