Cuomo will make first trip to DC on Monday

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will travel to Washington, D.C. on Monday to plead his case for a $42 billion appropriation from Superstorm Sandy, sources said.

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Cuomo, a Democrat who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, has not visited Washington since taking office in 2011. Indeed, Cuomo makes a point of not leaving the Empire State: The only three trips that come to mind are his touch-and-go visit to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September, flying to California for a same-sex marriage themed fundraiser in 2011 and a journey to Puerto Rico also that year to attend the annual Somos El Futuro conference.

An administration official confirmed the governor’s travel plans, but said his itinerary is not yet set. The delegation source said Cuomo is expected to meet with New York’s congressional representatives at some point in the day, but details were still being finalized. It’s unclear if Cuomo will meet with any administration officials or visit the White House.

On Monday, Cuomo huddled in his Manhattan office with Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as several representatives from areas most affected by the storm’s wrath. Cuomo has estimated Sandy’s costs at $50 billion.

The governor at first said the state would seek a $30 billion appropriation from Congress to supplement normal reimbursements paid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But that figure lingered in the public arena for over a week without any specific request attached to it. On Monday, Cuomo outlined $32 billion in reimbursement requests related to the recovery efforts as well as another $9 billion for projects that will rebuild and strengthen New York’s infrastructure.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers on Wednesday.

Cuomo has said the state faces a hostile political climate in Washington for its aid request. While he crafted his own list of needs by consulting with New York officials, he subsequently issued joint statements with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat.

Congress is in session through the end of the year as lawmakers negotiate ways to reduce the long-term deficit and avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” It’s unclear when federal lawmakers may take up a supplemental aid package, or when it will be codified into legislation.