Cantor Faces Conflicting Forces on Hurricane Aid

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., has argued that federal aid for Hurricane Irene must be offset by other spending cuts to avoid expanding the budget deficit. But he’s in something of a tight spot, because his Virginia district was hit by the hurricane and the earthquake last week, The Hill reports.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, also a Republican, said the deficit shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to hurricane aid. So Cantor must balance concern for his constituents with his tea party leadership role.

Money will be provided for hurricane relief, he told Fox. “We are just going to have to make sure there are savings elsewhere to continue to do so,” Cantor said. “Just like any family would operate when it’s struck with disaster, it finds the money to take care of a sick loved one and then goes without trying to buy a new car or an addition onto the house.”