RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson had strong words after North Carolina lawmakers unanimously approved a $273 million Hurricane Helene relief bill, focusing on his disdain for what he called "games" and "foolishness of politics" that have no place during a disaster. In a speech he gave to colleagues following the vote, Robinson said, "When times like this come we put everything else aside and we move on and we do what's necessary to help our fellow citizens and the people who elected us to serve as leaders, not as politicians, but as leaders." Mark Robinson misses second vote on Hurricane Helene-related request The lieutenant governor has criticized the state government's response to Helene, calling it "abysmal". He stood by his criticism in comments to CBS 17 hours before his General Assembly speech, but emphasized it was directed towards Gov. Roy Cooper. "I'm not criticizing our National Guard, DOT workers, or state workers," Robinson said. "I am criticizing our governor, who did not show proper leadership in the face of this storm." Robinson, the Republican nominee in the North Carolina governor's race, has faced criticism of his own after a CNN report last month alleged he called himself "a Black Nazi", among other offensive comments on a pornographic website. Robinson denied making the comments and when asked by CBS 17, hinted at a lawsuit against CNN. Republican leaders in the General Assembly were asked if they were still backing Robinson for governor. State House Speaker Tim Moore is standing by his endorsement, but state Senate Speaker Phil Berger declined to answer. Lt. Gov. Robinson ‘coming after CNN full throttle’ after mass exodus of campaign staffers in wake of report Moore said, "I'm not going to change my endorsement. I've had conversation with him and he tells me those allegations aren't true. I have not drilled down, cross-examined, or anything like that. Said Berger, "We're here to deal with the initial response as far as the hurricane is concerned. I'll answer the question at some other point, but right now, I don't think that's something I want to get into." State attorney general Josh Stein is the Democratic nominee in the North Carolina governor's race. When asked by CBS 17, his campaign issued a statement on Robinson's response to Helene. "Josh is focused on doing his job as attorney general to protect consumers from price gouging, approve the governor's emergency declarations, and support the coordinated effort to save lives, deliver immediate relief, and help folks recover and rebuild," campaign spokeswoman Morgan Hopkins said in the statement. "This is no time for politics."