How can the Republicans vote against Medical Care for 9-11 First Responders?
Remember Rep. Anthony Weiner's empassioned floor speech not so long ago when the GOP blocked it's passage again?
http://www.youtube.com/...
The House just passed the bill today (finally - after fighting Republican delay and opposition.)
Two Hundred Fifty-one Democrats and 17 Republicans vote YES.
But 157 Republicans, including folks like Michele Bachmann, and 3 straggler Dems, voted NO.
Here's the vote
http://politics.nytimes.com/...
To the 251 Democrats and 17 Republicans that voted YES, we thank you for carrying our gratitude in a tangible and useful way - directly to these heroes on our behalf.
The background on this bill is presented here by Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today
Published: September 29, 2010
...Capping years of legislative wrangling, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill designed to fund both medical care and compensation for first responders, workers, and residents who were exposed toxic particles as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after a police officer who became ill after working at Ground Zero and later died, passed the House Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 268 to 160.
The bill, which has been pushed by supporters for eight years, allocates $4.2 billion to fund the World Trade Center Health Program to provide medical monitoring and treatment for people with injuries caused by the attacks and the toxins released into the environment following the collapse of the twin towers. The Department of Health and Human Services will administer the health plan.
The bill also authorizes $3.5 billion to reopen a victim's compensation fund that Congress originally approved weeks after 9/11. Many people exposed to toxins released into the air after the collapse of the World Trade Center did not become ill until months or years later, and were therefore ineligible for money from the fund, which required claims to be filed by 2003. The bill would allow medical claims for injuries sustained from exposure to Ground Zero to be filed through 2031. ...
http://www.medpagetoday.com/...
But nothing, nothing can explain 157 Republican votes and 3 Democratic votes to delay and deny care to those whose heroism these politicans are only willing to honor throught their selfish, political lip service.
These heroes need more than lip service.
These brave first responders need more than endless delay and legal battles to prove their need and prove their damages while they suffer and die.
They need our help and Republicans like Bachmann vote NO.
They need our support and Republicans like Bachmann vote NO.
They need us to put away our petty partisanship and suspend our political maneuverings for just a moment and put our money where our mouths are . We call them heroes and give speeches saying say we'll never forget their bravery and their sacrifice, but when it comes time to live up to our words, Republicans like Bachmann say NO.
They vote NO because Republicans like Bachmann put themselves first, ahead of everyone and everything - including 9-11 First Responders.
When it suits their political needs, they talk about "Sacred Ground" but when it comes time to honor by deed instead of just words, they turn away from those still with us today whose sacrifice consecrated that ground and made it hallowed.
Is this how we "honor their service"?
Is this Republican opposition what passes for gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of these first responders who on that day and those that followed, ran not away from but towards the smoke and wreckage and carnage - and stayed and worked and cried while they served as the outstretched hands of care and support extended to those in need by a then shaken and wounded nation?
What kind of morals, what kind of principles guide that kind of betrayal and selfish hypocrisy?
What kind of people are you?
Shame on you. Shame on you who voted against this bill.
Shame on you each and every one.
Shame. Shame. Shame.
The President has said he will sign this bill.
The US Senate now holds the care of these 9-11 responders in their hands.
Tell us now how you honor their service.
Show us now that you still understand the words.
Honor.
Service.
Pass this bill and send it to President Obama.