Influence Alley

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., Wednesday morning, a committee aide confirmed, shortly after arriving at the Capitol at about 9:45 a.m.

Bloomberg is making the rounds Wednesday to advocate for emergency disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. He has requested $9.8 billion in emergency funds for New York City. He is expected to meet with House leadership Wednesday.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday the storm had caused $32 billion in losses throughout the state; Bloomberg pegged the city’s loss at $19 billion in a letter to the New York congressional delegation.

“After subtracting private insurance of $3.8 billion and FEMA reimbursement of $5.4 billion, the net cost to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy will be approximately $9.8 billion,” Bloomberg wrote Monday. “Therefore I am requesting your assistance in securing supplemental and expedited funding for the City of New York.”

It is unclear whether a supplemental aid bill could be passed by the end of the year, according to GOP committee press secretary Jen Hing, who said the committee is waiting for requests from federal agencies.

“Federal legislative action will be required to address the budget gap that will result once available FEMA funds and insurance proceeds are drawn down,” Bloomberg wrote.

He noted that some of the expenses, including long-term housing solutions and shoreline restoration, will not be eligible for FEMA funding.