Lummis Votes Against Superstorm Sandy Relief Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming congresswoman Cynthia Lummis says she voted against $50.5 billion in Superstorm Sandy disaster relief because lawmakers refused to cut federal spending to offset it.

Lummis joined other GOP lawmakers Tuesday in a failed bid to make the relief contingent on a 1.63 percent reduction in spending by federal agencies this year. Lummis said storm victims deserved the money but she had to oppose the bill.

Northeast lawmakers said passage of the spending amendment could have complicated prospects for quick action on the broader Sandy aid package in the Senate, which passed a $60.4 billion aid package.

In a statement, Lummis said that Wyoming has had to cut its budget by 6.5 percent. She questioned how lawmakers can address its $16 million debt if it can't cut 1.6 percent in spending.