In an article published January 13, 2013 in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jonathan Tamari and Jeremy Roebuck, Inquirer Staff Writers, interviewed U.S. Representative Chris Smith (NJ-04), whose district includes the hard-hit coastal areas of Ocean and Monmouth counties, about the Superstorm Sandy aid package moving through Congress this week:
 
    When President Obama issued a disaster declaration for Pennsylvania late Thursday, making the state eligible for federal aid to help with repairs after Sandy, he pleased officials from both parties, many of whom had pressed the administration for help.

    He may also have added an incentive for Pennsylvania lawmakers to support the politically charged $51 billion Sandy relief bill facing a House vote Tuesday. That vote is expected to be close.

    Most of the bill's relief money will go to New Jersey and New York, the states most damaged by the October storm. The aid for Pennsylvania, though, will also come from a fund that would be replenished by the Sandy bill.

    For House Republicans from Pennsylvania, that means some funding for their own state is at stake.

    "The inclusiveness is justified on the merits, and certainly can't hurt to bring additional votes there for the entire package," said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R., N.J.), one of the lawmakers pushing for full Sandy funding.

    New Jersey and New York officials are counting on some House Republicans' votes to help get the full aid package approved.

    In the Senate, Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) joined other fiscal conservatives in voting against the initial $60 billion relief bill, saying it was bloated with spending unrelated to Sandy.

    But Toomey isn't opposed to helping his own state. In October he joined Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) in writing to Obama seeking federal aid to help pay for Pennsylvania's preparations for Sandy. He could have a second vote on Sandy relief this month if the measure clears the House.

    Toomey, in a statement, said "the federal government must do everything necessary to help" victims of the storm, "and I hope that can be accomplished in a fiscally responsible manner."

    Casey, who voted for the Senate package, said Friday, "I'm pleased the administration has done the right thing."

    While Pennsylvania escaped the worst of Sandy's impact, the state spent time and money preparing, officials said.

    "State and local governments undertook significant protective measures, which, while necessary, strained already overburdened state and local resources," Gov. Corbett said Friday in a statement praising the disaster declaration.

    He had urged the state's congressional delegation to push for federal aid.

Original article can be found at:
http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-13/news/36314399_1_disaster-declaration-sandy-relief-full-aid-package