President Obama tours areas of New York City impacted by Hurricane Sandy, including Far Rockaway, the Queens community where residents still lack electrical power over two weeks after the storm swept up the Northeast coast.
Many of the complaints have been directed towards the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), which provides electrical service to the area.
He delivered a statement after viewing some of the damage by helicopter and meeting with volunteers and families who were affected by the storm. He was joined by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D).
Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo asked for $30 billion in federal disaster relief. He also requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pick up 100% of its recovery costs, instead of the 75% FEMA normally covers.
Gov. Cuomo is one of the federal, state and local officials who accompanied the President on his storm-recovery tour. He was also joined by Dept. of Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano, and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillebrand (D-NY).