WASHINGTON — Mayor Bloomberg took New York City’s case for $19 billion in disaster relief to Capitol Hill yesterday, chatting up congressional leaders, whom he described as receptive to helping.

“From both Republicans and Democrats in both houses, we got a very optimistic buzz,” he said.

The mayor’s visit with eight lawmakers, including leaders in the House and Senate, came as some Republicans in the chambers are calling for any disaster aid to be granted only if spending can be cut in other parts of the federal budget to pay for it.