WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has met with New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie at the White House.

Christie is in Washington Thursday to talk about aid to help his state recover from Superstorm Sandy. Obama is expected to ask Congress for about $50 billion in additional emergency assistance.

The storm struck the East Coast about a week before Election Day. Christie widely praised Obama and the federal government’s response, drawing criticism from fellow Republicans for backing the president so close to the election.

Christie also met with White House chief of staff Jack Lew, budget director Jeffrey Zients and other senior officials to discuss storm aid funding.

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