(CNN) – In a rare display of fierce intraparty sniping, New Jersey's Republican Gov. Chris Christie took the GOP House speaker to task for delaying a vote on federal funding for states affected by the devastating superstorm Sandy.
Christie, speaking the day after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives refused to take up the $60 billion relief measure already passed by the Senate, said culpability for sustained distress in his state rested solely upon GOP lawmakers.
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"There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims: the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner," Christie said. "This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. National disasters happen in red states and blue states and states with Democratic governors and Republican governors."
Christie was the latest Republican to voice his disapproval of the House after last night's inaction. The House stands in recess until 11 a.m. ET Thursday – the day a new Congress will be sworn in. It remains unclear whether a last-minute vote could happen in the current Congress.
Any measure not voted upon by the end of this session would have to be re-voted upon by the Senate.
Christie said Wednesday that House Republicans were breaking a longstanding vow to help states devastated by natural disasters.
"We respond to innocent victims of natural disasters, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans," he said. "Or at least we did until last night. Last night politics was placed before hosts to serve our citizens. For me, it was disappointing and disgusting to watch."
Leaders in Washington assured Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo the funding votes would happen on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to the New Jersey governor. The decision not to hold the vote was Boehner's, he said.