Q: The AJC reported that John Boehner killed the original Superstorm Sandy aid package because of all the pork it contained. What were some of these projects and what they would have cost?
—Bruce Coppedge, Suwanee
A: Boehner, the Speaker of the House, called off a vote on a $60 billion Sandy aid package because it was packed with other projects. Those included $150 million for fisheries across the country, $100 million to repair Head Start facilities, $8 million for cars for Homeland Security and Justice departments and $2 million to repair the roof at the Smithsonian, among other projects, according to published reports. After backlash from enraged Northeast politicians, Congress approved a $9.7 billion aid package on Jan. 4 and is scheduled to vote on an additional $51 billion in aid on Jan. 15.
Q: There have been a number of reports that Vice President Joe Biden has formed a group to recommend new gun legislation. Who are the members of this group?
—Bob Sullivan, Canton
A: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, Cynthia C. Hogan, who is Biden's chief counsel, and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett are a part of the gun task force, The Washington Post has reported. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he's helping advise the task force, which was formed in December in the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey is among a group of law enforcement officials from around the nation also working with the group.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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