WASHINGTON — New York’s request for $42 billion in post-Sandy disaster aid won’t face easy congressional approval, Democrats and Republicans predicted yesterday.

“I would imagine it’s going to be a tough sell,” said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).

After every disaster, “there is always an exaggerated request that sets it up so that there can be compromise down the road,” added Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

Still, Mayor Bloomberg will be in Washington today to meet with key congressional leaders.

New York’s senior Sen. Charles Schumer said: “It’s hard, but we’re going to fight real hard because New York needs every penny.”