ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are putting out a strong message to Congress: Don't leave for the holidays until you decide on aid for states battered by Superstorm Sandy.

Govs. Chris Christie, Andrew Cuomo and Dannel Malloy say no region or state should have stand have to alone after a disaster. They say Congress hasn't acted in seven weeks following Sandy, taking longer to provide aid than in previous disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

President Barack Obama a week ago proposed $60.4 billion for the states, about three-quarters of what they requested.

Now it's in the hands of Congress, which is already in a budget battle to avoid tax hikes and spending cuts on Jan. 1.

The governors made their case in an opinion piece in Thursday's Washington Post.