Editorial: Feckless and Cruel
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: July 30, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/opinion/31sat4.html?th&emc=th
In a shameful bout of election-year politicking, the House has rejected badly needed help for rescue workers and residents still suffering from the Sept. 11, 2001, destruction of the World Trade Center. What should have been swift bipartisan approval of a plan for medical and economic compensation turned into an ugly political brawl.
The House action was an insult, especially to the tens of thousands of ordinary citizens who pitched in selflessly for weeks in the cleanup, and have since developed grave illnesses from the toxic dust and debris of ground zero. Their needs were pushed aside as lawmaking degenerated into a game of election-year chicken.
The Democratic leadership, cowed by the Republicans’ relentless campaign-focused bluster no matter what the bill, foolishly ordered limited debate. That meant they had to accept an impossible two-thirds vote for approval. Republicans then voted no in near lock step. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was correct in pronouncing a pox on all as the bill fell short, 255 to 159.
The measure, which calls for $3.2 billion in medical aid over eight years and $4.2 billion in economic compensation, should have been put to a simple majority vote. If Republicans chose to oppose it with campaign boilerplate, the blame for failure would undeniably be theirs.
The House leadership needs to bring the measure back for a second vote requiring a simple majority. A small window remains after the summer recess. Lawmakers will have a chance to show that, beyond the fear and loathing that’s driving vicious House partisanship, a shred of comity can still be managed, especially when it comes to the victims of Sept. 11.
The main sponsors, Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler, Democrats of New York, and Representative Peter King, Republican of New York, are rightly still pressing to get the bill passed this year. This September marks the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The country must not forget any of its victims.
Weiner enraged on House floor
By Jeff Simon
Copyright by CNN News
Posted: July 30th, 2010 10:15 AM ET
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/30/weiner-enraged-on-house-floor/?hpt=T2&fbid=0pTUhm8cc-B
(CNN) – Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner was raging Thursday night on the House floor after it became clear that Republicans had enough votes to defeat a bill that provided health care to 9/11 first responders.
Democratic leaders made a motion to suspend the rules, a maneuver that prevented Republicans from offering amendments to the widely popular James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
In a dramatic one-and-a-half minute speech, the New York congressman excoriated Republicans for mounting their opposition to the bill's passage on their inability to offer amendments to it.
"It's Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes," Weiner said. "It is a shame. A shame! If you believe this is a bad idea to provide health care–then vote no! But don't give me the cowardly view that 'Oh if it was a different procedure'…"
Republican Rep. Peter King, also of New York, drew fire from Weiner when he tried to interject midway through the Democrat's tirade.
"The gentleman gets up and yells, trying to intimidate people into believing he's right–he is wrong!" Weiner shouted. "The gentleman is wrong! The gentleman is providing cover for his colleagues rather than doing the right thing!"
And later: "The gentleman will observe regular order and sit down!"
–CNN's Charles Riley contributed to this report
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