Lummis votes against Superstorm Sandy bill

CHEYENNE — Wyoming congresswoman Cynthia Lummis says she voted against $50.5 billion in Superstorm Sandy disaster relief because lawmakers refused to cut federal spending to offset it.

Lummis joined other GOP lawmakers Tuesday in a failed bid to make the relief contingent on a 1.63 percent reduction in spending by federal agencies this year. Lummis said storm victims deserved the money but she had to oppose the bill.

In a statement, Lummis said that Wyoming has had to cut its budget by 6.5 percent. She questioned how lawmakers can address its $16 million debt if it can’t cut 1.6 percent in spending.