Three N.C. Republicans in Congress voted against providing $9.7 billion in aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy, including two new freshmen.

The three: Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk, Mark Meadows of Hendersonville and George Holding of Raleigh.

The three GOPers didn't immediately explain their votes -- part of a group of 67 Republicans who voted against the aid requested by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican Party star. The vote: 354-67.

In today's paper, Holding describes his main priority is to limit spending. Meadows is already being attacked by Democrats as a card-carrying tea partier. And Foxx is known for her uber-conservative stances.