9/11 Responders Bill Passes The Senate!
StarrGazerr
2010/12/22 20:05:05
Despite the now-familiar efforts of the Party of No to block ANYTHING that might actually benefit deserving Americans, the Obama Administration has achieved yet another milestone in their drive to restore the rights of Americans.
----
Deal reached on aid package for 9/11 responders
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — After a last-minute compromise, the Senate passed legislation Wednesday to provide up to $4.2 billion in new aid to survivors of the September 2001 terrorism attack on the World Trade Center and responders who became ill working in its ruins.
A House vote was expected on the bill within hours as lawmakers raced to wrap up their work for the year.
The measure was a product of a compromise involving Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
The 9/11 legislation provides money for monitoring and treating illnesses related to Ground Zero and reopens a victims' compensation fund for another five years to cover wage and other economic losses of sickened workers and nearby residents. Schumer and Gillibrand had sought $6.2 billion and keeping the compensation fund open for 10 years.
"Every American recognizes the heroism of the 9/11 first responders, but it is not compassionate to help one group while robbing future generation of opportunity," said Coburn, who led a GOP blockade against the bill. "This agreement strikes a fair balance."
----
Deal reached on aid package for 9/11 responders
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — After a last-minute compromise, the Senate passed legislation Wednesday to provide up to $4.2 billion in new aid to survivors of the September 2001 terrorism attack on the World Trade Center and responders who became ill working in its ruins.
A House vote was expected on the bill within hours as lawmakers raced to wrap up their work for the year.
The measure was a product of a compromise involving Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
The 9/11 legislation provides money for monitoring and treating illnesses related to Ground Zero and reopens a victims' compensation fund for another five years to cover wage and other economic losses of sickened workers and nearby residents. Schumer and Gillibrand had sought $6.2 billion and keeping the compensation fund open for 10 years.
"Every American recognizes the heroism of the 9/11 first responders, but it is not compassionate to help one group while robbing future generation of opportunity," said Coburn, who led a GOP blockade against the bill. "This agreement strikes a fair balance."
Read More: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP99bd8879ce1540b391...
Top Opinion
-
Carabella 2010/12/22 22:56:38
+4It's interesting that Coburn calls this a 'fair balance' in cutting the aid from $6.2 to $4.2 billion and talks about 'robbing future generations' to pay for it, yet the Repugs have not come up with a viable plan to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy. Their hypocrisy is overwhelming.
Jon Stewart deserves a lot of credit, along with the first responders themselves. These first responders are the best examples of American heroism I can think of. They risked their lives, their safety, and their health to help people they didn't even know - because it was the right thing to do.
9/11 responders bill
Repeal of DADT
Healthcare reform
Lilly Ledbetter fair pay act.
Just about gone out of Iraq
Just to name a few. ...Not bad for just a couple of years on the job for an inexperienced MarxoSocioCommieFascist from Kenya huh? You go Mr. President.
Simple minded cretins are the only ones who think that taking care of the first responders who gave their lives and are still giving their lives some kind of give away.
Only sorry war mongering bums would think that our finally getting out of Iraq will raise taxes.
Only a chauvinist pig would consider paying a woman a wage comparable to that of a man for the same work some kind of giveaway.
Only an idiotic teabagger would think that haing health insurance would actually raise taxes.
So which one are you again?
Gun, you've blocked me?? Do you not allow for the premise that there are some things that we have to do simply because it's the right thing to do, and we can figure out how to pay for it later? Even if you disagree, you've never been one to block someone for disagreeing with you. What gives?