The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives has shut out Northeast fishermen from any emergency aid in its pending disaster relief bill.

The U.S. House of Representatives has shut Northeast fishermen out of virtually any emergency aid in its pending disaster relief bill.

The Republican-led House began debate on its Superstorm Sandy relief bill Tuesday without voting on amendments that would have inserted between $116 million and $150 million in fishing industry funding.

Massachusetts Rep. John Tierney called the decision "callous and outrageous.''

Northeast fishermen became eligible for federal aid last year after a national fishery disaster was declared in the region, due to the slow recovery of fish stocks.

The Senate version of the bill, passed in the last Congress, included $150 million for fishermen in the Northeast, Gulf Coast and Alaska. The House bill didn't include significant money.

The Senate still has a say after the House bill passes, but prospects for fishing funds are uncertain.