The Hill News

President Obama turned down an invitation to tour earthquake damage in Virginia this week, according to Virginia's Gov. Bob McDonnell (R).

"I thought the president seeing the disaster area up close and in person might have been able to go back to the FEMA folks and break this thing loose," McDonnell told Virginia's CBS affiliate WTVR Monday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency this month denied additional funding to Virginia's earthquake recovery efforts. McDonnell, with support from other Virginia lawmakers, has said he will appeal the decision.

The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred Aug. 23 was centered in Louisa County, Va. McDonne! ll invited Obama to visit the county this week during his trip to the state, where he is stopping as part of his three-day bus tour to promote his jobs package.

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