Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Chris Christie in a joint statement this afternoon voiced their support for a $60.4 billion supplemental aid request to help rebuild the metropolitan and New Jersey areas following Hurricane Sandy.

Cuomo is expected to give more details on the aid request, which is to include mitigation projects to prevent future damage from storms, in a news conference at 5:15. YNN and NY1 will carry that event live.

The aid request comes after Cuomo and Christie made separate appearances in Washington to lobby for the money. Initially the governors had asked for $79 billion in aid.

Their statement:

“During the past days and weeks, we have been working very closely with the President, administration officials and our respective congressional delegations to craft a supplemental appropriations request that meets the critical needs facing our states in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Today’s agreement on the Administration’s request to Congress would authorize more than $60 billion in funding that will enable our states to recover, repair, and rebuild better and stronger than before. This package also includes funding to invest in essential mitigation and prevention efforts that will better protect our region against the devastating impacts of future superstorms.

“The request is crafted to afford maximum flexibility to state governments and we will continue to work with the Administration and Congress as our needs arise.

“We thank President Obama for his steadfast commitment of support and look forward to continuing our partnership in the recovery effort.”

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