House Republicans Shy From Hurricane Offsets

Republican House leaders have expressed a desire to offset spending on aid for Hurricane Irene victims with cuts elsewhere. But vulnerable House Republicans in New York and New Jersey are staying away from that idea, first offered by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, The Hill reports.

Rookie Rep. Jon Runyan, R-N.J., whose victory margin last year totaled less than 6,000 votes, says now is the wrong time to worry about budget issues.

“While I respect Majority Leader Cantor and share his commitment to spending discipline, my focus right now is making sure hard-hit areas in New Jersey receive the necessary federal resources they need in order to recover,” he said in a statement.

To be sure, Cantor himself said on Wednesday that there would be “no hold-up” in approving federal aid for last month’s hurricane and earthquake damage.

“Unequivocally, I am for making sure people get their money and not have to wait,” Cantor told reporters.