Joe Biden not only served during the Ford administration — he’s also apparently stealing their policies.
City lawmakers slammed the Biden White House after he again blew off the Big Apple’s plea for extra money and help dealing with the migrant crisis — with one going as far as to compare him to the one-term, 1970s Republican.
“It’s a kick in the head. He’s essentially saying what Gerald Ford said to the city – ‘Drop dead’.” said Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens) Friday, a day after Mayor Eric Adams met with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and got only a promise of a new ‘liaison’ to deal with migrants.
Holden also scoffed at the plan to send only a liaison to help — instead of actual action and cash.
“We certainly expected more than just an employee,” Holden said.
“It’s almost comical that the Biden administration caused this and is hanging the Mayor and the city out to dry.”
Hizzoner has repeatedly demanded the White House fork over more cash to help pay for the $4.3 billion tab City Hall expects to incur from providing social services and shelter to the recent arrivals.
Federal authorities have promised just $142 million so far, according to a tally kept by the administration — which is just a fraction of the $1 billion provided by state lawmakers in Albany.
Other lawmakers on the City Council joined the chorus demanding additional assistance from D.C.
“We’re starting to feel like a broken record here. New York City simply cannot handle the migrant crisis on our own,” said Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), the chairman of the budget writing committee. “Our compassion is limitless but our resources are running out.”
The strain that the city’s social services face can be seen in the numbers — more than 107,000 people are now living in the shelter system, mega-humanitarian relief hubs run by the public hospitals corporation and respite centers.
This crisis has been building more for more than a year since the buses from the southern border began rolling in last summer.
By October, Adams declared a state of emergency, warning the cost of providing care could reach $1 billion and was “unsustainable.” The costs kept growing as the buses kept arriving, forcing officials to race to open new shelters in hotels, gyms and other locals across the city.
In May, Adams’ budget director labeled the swelling costs a “fiscal emergency” that could go “go on for years,” saying the costs could force budget cuts to other city agencies as the Big Apple’s repeated cries for federal assistance continue to go unanswered.
Councilwoman Diana Ayala (D-Manhattan/The Bronx), who chairs the general welfare committee, told The Post that the commitments offered by the White House showed a disconnect between the reality in New York and the politics in DC.
“Conversations are helpful and visits are helpful,” said Ayala. “Washington is a ways away and they’re not really seeing what we’re seeing on a day-to-day basis, experiencing the challenges of what it takes to house this many people in rapid succession.”
“It can’t hurt,” she added. “I’m still concerned that, because of the elections next year, we’re not going to see much movement on this issue.”
Holden’s “Drop Dead” quip was referring to the famous tabloid headline that ran in 1975, after then-President Gerald Ford went public with his initial refusal to bail New York City’s municipal government from its fiscal crisis .
The incident is hardly ancient history to now-President Biden, 80, who was in his first term in the U.S. Senate at the time.
Ford eventually reversed course and loaned the Big Apple money, with significant strings attached.
City lawmakers hope that the president will follow in the footsteps of his Republican predecessor and eventually cough up the cash for New York.
The City Council Speaker, Adrienne Adams (D-Queens), for instance, called on the federal authorities after the meeting to boost aid and speed work permits to help get migrants out of shelters.
“With tens of thousands of people seeking asylum in our city, it remains critical for a quicker, streamlined work authorization process and increased federal support to New York City,” said her spokesman.