EXCLUSIVE: Senate Strikes Deal on 9/11 First Responders Bill

[Lochloosa]

Source: ABC News

Senate Democrats and Republicans today have struck a deal to secure passage of a bill to provide health benefits and compensation to 9/11 first responders, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-OK, said today in an exclusive interview with ABC News.

In recent days Coburn has come under withering criticism for opposing the bill on the grounds that it provided "overly generous funding" and included "unnecessary and duplicative compensation funds."

But Coburn emerged from a closed-door meeting that included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to reveal that that a deal has been worked out that will likely enable the bill to pass the Senate – and then the House – by the end of the day.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-senate-strikes-deal-911-responders-bill/story?id=12459170

[stray cat]

1. A few members of the GOP vote against leaving soldiers on the battlefield to die?

[dennis4868]

2. If is was so hard to get a bill through congress...

to support the first responders, can you imagine how difficult it's going to be to get anything done once the repubs control the house and have more senators in the senate? Now I know why Obama had to make a deal on tax cuts in order to get UI!!!!!!!!!!

[KeepItReal]

3. Way to get after 'em!!!

Folks like Coburn DO respond to massive amounts of public shame and humiliation.

Too bad it takes all that for these people to do the right thing.

[alfredo]

6. Coburn was pissed that we put the first responders above

foreign businesses profiting from US taxpayer's money.

[Renew Deal]

4. What did they give up?

I saw something about not being to reapply to the fund. I don't like the sound of that.

[tomm2thumbs]

8. they probably wrote 'invalid on injuries sustained prior to September 12, 2001'

you know - the 'F*ck You Clause'

[mimitabby]

14. yeah, really!

[savalez]

5. Good but what did they change?

Are they still closing foreign corporate tax loopholes?

[Blue_Tires]

7. the fact that a "deal" had to be made makes my skin crawl...

[Frisbee]

9. I agree, if they gave ANYTHING to Coburn, they were wrong...

I realize they did it for the right reasons, but let him try to defend opposing it, especially given the pub it's received the last week or so.

[DesertFlower]

19. i agree. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

10. ..and what was given up for this "deal"????? Will that be revealed???

I cannot help but be very wary about any "deal" to which creatures like Coburn will accede.
What's the catch? There HAS to be a catch...

[savalez]

11. Remember this?

‘U.S.’ Chamber Of Commerce Lobbied To Help GOP Kill Bill To Provide Health Care To 9/11 First Responders

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/12/17/chamber-911-responders/

I hope the COC didn't get their way.

[Demoiselle]

12. Until we hear otherwise...

I'm going to assume that the words "a deal has been worked out" are meant to cushion the shame a little for Coburn. The only "deal" the good guys made was to promise not to shit all over Coburn about it anymore if he lets it pass.

I hope to God I'm right, but of course, I'm probably wrong. Oh well, it's the Christmas season.

[No Elephants]

13. Irony. Many NYC cops and firefighters vote Republicon.

[savalez]

16. Entrenched brainwashing?

[No Elephants]

15. P.S. Jon Stewart and others in show biz, but esp. Stewart, should get credit.

[Earth_First]

17. We struck a deal? A fu*king DEAL?!

Another closed-door meeting with Republican opposition to a bill which never should have been bartered for tax breaks in the first place?!?

What did we give up to the Republicans THIS time?

Holy fu*king sh*t man!

:mad:

[savalez]

18. New Deal: a reduction of the price tag from $6.2 billion to $4.2 billion.

read more:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/911-bill-to-pass-unencumbered.php?ref=fpa

[valerief]

20. So does that mean it's not being paid for with taxes on offshoring companies now? nt

[savalez]

26. Hartmann said in passing...

on his radio show that that has been removed. I hope not but I want to know for sure.

[Divernan]

21. Deal for 9/11 Health Bill Reached in Senate

Source: New York Times (blog)

Deal for 9/11 Health Bill Reached in Senate
By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

1:49 p.m. | Updated A deal has been reached in the Senate to approve a bill that covers the cost of medical care for rescue workers and others who became sick from breathing in toxic fumes, dust and smoke after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The compromise on Wednesday was reached after Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, agreed to changes demanded by conservative Republicans, who raised concerns about the measure’s cost.

Under the new agreement, the bill provides $4.3 billion over five years for health coverage to the 9/11 workers, instead of the original $7.4 billion over eight years.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand called the deal a “Christmas miracle.”

“Over the last 24 hours, our Republican colleagues have negotiated in good faith to forge a workable final package that will protect the health of the men and women who selflessly answered our nation’s call in her hour of greatest need,” the statement said. “This has been a long process, but we are now on the cusp of the victory these heroes deserve.”

With lawmakers eager to get home for the holidays, the Senate is expected

No link yet.

---

About damn time!

Here's the link:Read More:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/deal-for-911-health-bill-reached-in-senate/?emc=na

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. Let's see the freepers rail against THAT.

[pinto]

23. Good deal.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

[emulatorloo]

24. Thanks for posting that article and the link!

[JuniperLea]

25. About damn time, indeed!

It should have never been questioned; however, shining the hot white light on Republican shallow greed in the process adds value in my humble opinion.