Christie: Congress must rise above party

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TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday he would like Congress to learn to listen and recognize the issues that are "above politics."

Speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Christie directed his most intense criticism at House Republicans who have held up aid to New Jersey residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.

"Sandy is and was above politics," he said. "There are certain things that happen in our lives that have to be above politics and both parties should rise above, as hard as that is for them sometimes."

Christie, a Republican, said he'd like Congress "to learn to listen. Listen to people in my state, listen to the people in the state of New York. They're suffering, they're hurting, and they don't understand why they've had to wait seven times longer than the victims of Katrina to get any federal aid."

Noting that he met with the New Jersey congressional delegation on Tuesday, the governor said he was "hopeful" an aid package could be passed.

"But at the end of the day, it's never done till it's done," he added.