WASHINGTON – Mayor Bloomberg yesterday tried to assure Republican congressional leaders that special aid to New York City won’t be wasted.
Bloomberg talked with several Republicans from Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas who are among the most skeptical of the more than $20 billion in federal aid that President Bush has promised as part of Sept. 11 rebuilding assistance.
Rep. Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican and the No. 3 GOP member in the House, told The Post he discussed money for New York – and Gov. Pataki.
“I said we like Gov. Pataki and want to help him,” DeLay said.
Bloomberg also met with Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.) and Sen. Don Nichols (R-Okla.).
In a twist of fate, the mayor walked into the same Capitol elevator as Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.), who was defeated in a primary last week. It is not known what, if anything, they talked about.