Arnold on D.C.'s Delayed Response to Sandy Bill

By


ET
's Rob Marciano spoke with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger about fellow Republican and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's response to the Superstorm Sandy tragedy. While Schwarzenegger credited Christie for helping to pass the relief bill in the Senate, he slammed Washington, D.C.

VIDEO: Stars Rally for Storm Victims with Red Cross PSA

"Washington is disastrous," Schwarzenegger said. "They can't get anything done, and it's embarrassing -- that we had to wait for an extra day to get that bill passed. I mean that was a no-brainer. The states pay Federal tax, so the least they can do when there's a disaster like that is to immediately cough up the money and to help those states in a state of emergency..."

CNN reports that the bill -- the first legislative action of the new Congress -- was passed on Friday with a House vote of 354-67. The measure reportedly allows for $9.7 billion worth of aid.

Chris Christie hurled criticism at House Republicans for not addressing the bill on Tuesday, which was the initial plan.

"New Jersey deserves better than the duplicity we saw on display," Christie told CNN.

For more of ET's interview with Schwarzenegger tune in tonight, Monday, January 7. Check your local listings.