GOP Senators Block Aid Bill For Sick Ground Zero Workers

Caring only about tax breaks for the rich this holiday season, Republican senators have stopped legislation to give Ground Zero workers health care.

The bill calls for providing $3.2 billion over the next eight years to monitor and treat injuries stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero. New York City would pay 10 percent of those health costs.

The bill would also set aside $4.2 billion to reopen the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to provide payments for job and economic losses.

In addition, the bill includes a provision that would allow money from the Victim Compensation Fund to be paid to any eligible claimant who receives a payment under the settlement of lawsuits that 10,000 rescue and cleanup workers recently reached with the city.

Republicans won’t agree to anything until they get their vote on tax cuts for the rich.

The bill failed on a test vote, 57-42. Fifty-seven Democrats voted for the bill and 41 Republicans opposed it.

Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, switched his vote to “no” at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up again for a vote.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.