Rep. Peter King (R-NY) thinks Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is showing some chutzpah by raising money in New York after voting against a Superstorm Sandy relief bill, telling Politicker.com in a story published Thursday that the junior Florida senator and 2016 contender has some “balls” to seek cash from Wall Street and other Empire State donors.
“Being from New York we’re not supposed to be suckers,” King said. “It’s bad enough that these guys voted against it, that’s inexcusable enough. But to have the balls to come in and say, ‘We screwed you now make us president?”
The longtime New York congressman continued, “Rubio and these other Republican candidates are coming to New York to raise money. I don’t think any senator or congressman who voted against aid for Sandy should get one nickel from New York.”
The remarks brought to mind King’s public tirade against his own party last month after a vote on a Sandy relief package was delayed by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), saying at the time that anyone in New York or New Jersey who donates to the National Republican Congressional Committee should have their “head examined.”
Rubio was one of 36 senators last month to vote against a $50.5 billion relief bill for Sandy victims. A report Wednesday in Politico indicated that Rubio has been quietly courting donors on Wall Street.
Rubio’s office did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.
