Christie: Congress Hampering NJ Homeowners’ Rebuilding Efforts

Gov. Chris Christie says New Jerseyans preparing to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy are enduring delays now because Congress took more than 90 days to approve a massive aid package for the tri-state region.

"We're feeling it on the back end," Christie told a caller to TownSquare Media's "Ask the Governor" program on Monday.

Christie says grant money won't be available for residents to rebuild or raise their houses until federal officials approve the state's disaster action plan.

He expects that will happen early next month.

The governor says nearly all boardwalks should be open by Memorial Day, but other post-storm recovery is going more slowly than some would like.

Christie also renewed a promise to take whatever action necessary to secure easements from beachfront property owners to build protective dunes.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.