Rokita votes against hurricane relief

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Republican Congressman Todd Rokita voted against a $50 billion bill to send relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Rokita was unavailable Wednesday for comment.

However, in a news release he said, "I share the compassion that all Americans have for Hurricane Sandy's victims, and agree that we should give them assistance."

Rokita went on to say, "But it is immoral for us to do so at the expense of future generations, when we have the ability to cut other unnecessary spending today."

Some Hoosiers said they agree with Rokita's vote against adding to the debt. Others said they believe it's crucial to offer help even if it means more national debt.

"I think that emergency relief is something that they shouldn't be playing politics with," West Lafayette resident Jacob Eisoces said. "The Democrats and the Republicans have definitely been playing politics on this one but emergency relief is something that shouldn't be messed with."

"I think that Hurricane Sandy Relief is rather delayed," West Lafayette resident Kevin Szul said. "I don't think legislation should necessarily have to pass for us to go help them with money or any other aid."

Rokita introduced amendments that would require across-the-board cuts to non-defense discretionary spending to fully offset the proposed $50 billion in supplemental spending related to last year's hurricane.

He said, "Washington is fully capable of reducing spending on lesser priorities, and I simply don't believe in the false dilemma that was put before us: to pass an unpaid-for disaster bill, further victimizing the children of tomorrow, or reject an unpaid-for relief bill, denying Hurricane Sandy's victims the assistance they need."

"It could come back to hurt him because at some point there could be a disaster in his district that they need national funding for that and then his fellow congressmen aren't going to support and he may lose votes," Eisoces said.

The House approved the $50.7 billion in emergency relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The 241 to 180 vote sends the measure to the Senate which is expected to take it up Tuesday.