9/11 Responders Health Bill Will Get New Vote, Reps Vow

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care ,; Domestic Issues ,; Congress

(Credit: AP / CBS)

Lawmakers from New York promised today that the House will hold another vote on a bill to provide $7.4 billion in aid to 9/11 first responders before the month is out.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which failed to pass in the House this past July, would provide free health care and compensation payments to 9/11 rescue and recovery workers who fell ill after working in the trade center ruins.

Democratic Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler issued a joint statement today saying that House Democratic leadership has promised to bring the bill up for another vote after Congress comes back from its summer recess.

"We anticipate that the bill will be taken up the second week we are back in session and will be considered under regular order, with the expectation and belief that neither side will play politics with this vitally-important legislation," they said.

Most Republicans this summer voted against the bill, complaining that Democrats chose to bypass voting on amendments, opting instead for a process that sped up the vote but required a two-thirds majority. The measure received 255 votes, but it failed to get the two-thirds needed to pass. This time around, the bill will only need a simple majority to pass.

The New York representatives announced today that the House would take up the bill again at a press conference at Ground Zero, CBS New York reports.

"Not a single person shall participate in a 9/11 memorial event around the county, and be an elected official, and not stand up and say we are going to fight for the victims of Sept. 11," Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner reportedly said. "Every single one of them, as long as it takes. They were there for us, we're going to be for them."

Weiner erupted into a loud tirade on the House floor against his Republican colleagues last summer after the bill failed to pass.

More on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:

9/11 Health Bill Spurs Partisan Finger-Pointing
In 9/11's Wake, Anguish and Anger
Tale Of The 'Walking Dead'

Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by slatep September 9, 2010 1:47 PM EDT: If the members of Congress do not address and PASS this bill, they had better put their heads between their knees and kiss their seats in Congress and the Senate goodbye.; Reply to this comment


by slatep September 9, 2010 1:42 PM EDT: dadirt
If i could reach through this computer and get hold of you.............

This bill would pay medical expenses for the firefighters, police officers and all others who worked at the disaster scene after the Towers fell.

Many who were not firefighters or police officers have been sickened physically and emotionally and many have already died from being exposed to God knows what during the cleanup.

These people deserve every penny they get in compensation.

Not all of these workers were from New York,

People came from all across the Country to help.

If any of these people know your name on this site and read your comment; my advice to you is HIDE.!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by dadirt September 9, 2010 9:01 AM EDT: Were these not firefighters and police personnel? Do they not have excellent heathcare plans and disability insurance? Is Ny looking to get money from the government because they are in debt up to their eye balls?; Reply to this comment