WATCH: Rep. Peter King's epic tirade against the GOP over Sandy relief [Updated]
"Turning your back on people who are starving and freezing is not a Republican value"
Insults have been flying around Congress with increasing ferocity of late. First, Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) accused members of the Senate of being a bunch of "sleep-deprived octogenarians." Then it was reported that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) had told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to go f--- himself. And now Peter King, a Republican congressman from New York, has gone on an epic tirade against members of his own party for failing to pass a Senate package that would provide $60 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. "Anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee should have their head examined," he raved to CNN. "It was absolutely disgraceful."
He went on, "People in my party, they wonder why they're becoming a minority party."
And on, "They're going to have a hard time getting my vote, I can tell you that."
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And on, "Turning your back on people who are starving and freezing is not a Republican value."
King, the influential chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, even declined to rule out whether he would consider becoming a Democrat.
The Senate has already passed a $60 billion aid package with bipartisan support, but Republicans in the House balked at the price tag. The 112th Congress is expected to adjourn on Thursday without having passed any relief legislation, which means a new bill will have to be drafted and any aid will be delayed.
Update: President Obama has weighed in on the GOP's inaction, calling on the House to pass Sandy aid "without delay for our fellow Americans." New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was also harshly critical of the House:
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Ryu Spaeth is deputy editor at TheWeek.com. Follow him on Twitter.
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