9/11 Health Bill Wins Support From G.O.P. (to pass before end of 111th Congress)

[kpete]

Source: New York Times

9/11 Health Bill Wins Support From G.O.P.
By CARL HULSE
Published: December 18, 2010


WASHINGTON — Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said Saturday that she and other sponsors of a stalled 9/11 health bill had won new Republican support for the measure and intended to try again to pass it before the end of the 111th Congress.

Following the Senate’s vote to repeal the ban on gays serving in the military, Ms. Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, said Democrats intended to resurrect the health initiative in the coming days after falling three votes short of breaking a filibuster against it earlier this month.

“We have the votes we need,” Ms. Gillibrand said. “We have indications from several Republicans that they very much want to vote for this bill.”

The $7.4 billion measure is intended to provide medical care to workers and others who had become ill as a result of being exposed to toxic debris and fumes at the site of the World Trade Center attack in 2001.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/nyregion/19health.html?_r=1&hp

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. GOP Shamed into Ceasing their Obstructionism

In other words...

[Champion Jack]

2. or, Harry threatened to make them work through the holidays...

[pasto76]

4. a bit of both I suspect.

Democrats could use a bit of "ends justify the means" these day.

[CBHagman]

3. Yes!

A most unexpected bit of news this Sunday. Thanks for posting.

[Greybnk48]

5. John Stewart deserves a medal. He dedicated his entire

show this past thurs. to shaming these assholes who have wrapped themselves in flags and screamed 911 for 10 years, but screwed over the first responders. Good news!!

[Akoto]

6. I'm glad they're doing it, but ...

They know that, if they don't, their refusal will become a sword for the Democrats to swing like no tomorrow in the next Congress.

[bluestateguy]

7. This has been a most productive lame duck session

To call it Lame Duck seems an injustice.

I'm proud to support Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and President Obama.