Backstabber Report

9/11 Responders Health Bill Defeated. Rescue Workers Backstabbed By Politics As Usual

If Republicans could find a way to clutch defeat from the hand of victory in upcoming 2010 elections, they were successful when they voted against the 9/11 rescuers health bill. This bill would have provided medical care to rescue workers who developed serious medical problems when they were exposed to toxic fumes and dust, as they risked their own lives digging through the rubble of the twin towers.

Sadly, the majority of House Republicans voted against this bill, even though its [$7.4 billion] costs were fully paid for as required under the PAYGO rules by closing a tax loophole for foreign firms that operate in the United States,” Trumka said in a statement. “It appears that some Republicans and business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, are more concerned with protecting the interests of the foreign based companies who try to avoid paying taxes than helping those who answered the nation’s call on 9/11.”

Even more bizarre is that the Democrats used a method of approval that almost assuredly put the nails in the coffin of the 9/11 Rescuers Health Care Bill before it even came to a vote. Rather than opt for it requiring a simple majority vote, they brought it as a vote requiring a two-thirds majority vote and attached the amendment to it that would have closed the tax loophole – knowing damned well the Republicans would not let it pass like that because the two-thirds majority would have prevented them from editing it.

Which only makes one wonder if the political game playing will ever be put aside, for the benefit of the public.

The Democrats put up a Bill that they knew the Republicans would vote against, so that they could do some finger pointing in 2010. The Republicans voted against it and will offset such criticism by pointing to the provision that the bill would have provided medical assistance to illegal aliens who assisted in the rescue efforts (another provision of the bill), solidifying their position that illegals should not receive American benefits. A hot topic gaining the majority of popular opinion among Americans.

This Bill was a farce. Both political parties are serving their own interests and not that of the public. On the one topic that would have passed unanimously, if the typical special interest groups hadn't had their fingerprints all over it. The 9/11 Rescuers Bill crashed and burned because our representatives have to keep screwing over their constituents - trying to earn points that serve their own agenda.

Is it any wonder Jon Stewart, a known liberal Democrat has become disgusted with the system, as evidenced by his recent segment, known as "I give up."