Why the House GOP left the Hurricane Sandy relief bill out in the cold

While the fiscal cliff deal was busy getting passed, bitter House Republicans allowed a $27 billion relief package for states affected by Hurricane Sandy to die amidst partisan, pork-stuffed complaints. Majority Leader Eric Cantor had pushed for the bill to be debated Wednesday, Politico's David Rogers explains, and Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey had filed a $33 billion amendment to the $27 billion Senate bill. But Tuesday night, House Republicans had a change of heart, and the bill will likely fade away as the extended session of Congress comes to a close Wednesday afternoon. Northeastern lawmakers are furious, and say House Republicans just don't want to vote for a spending bill after voting for a tax increase.

At least the outrage is bipartisan. New Jersey Democrat Rob Andrews told Politico:

"I assume there is as tactical consideration here, that the Republican leadership didn't want to be anywhere near a big spending bill after the fiasco of their handling the tax debate. I understand the tactics but there is a real human need here that is being ignored."

Read more at The Atlantic Wire.