Conservatives Filibuster 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

[Mindcrime]

These Republicans are an absolute disgrace to the country.

In this lame duck session, Senate Republicans are grasping at every possible reason to “run out the clock” on any Democratic priority. Their brazen obstruction, however, took some victims last week when they used another filibuster to block the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. Named after a New York City policeman who died from health complications, this legislation that provides health care to 9/11 first responders and emergency workers who suffered illnesses from working at Ground Zero.

Not one Republican senator came to the floor to explain why the desperately needed, fully paid-for compensation didn’t deserve to pass. When Fox News’ Don Imus pressed Sen. John Thune (R-SD) for an explanation, Thune said the tax cuts are a bigger priority because “there is a deadline.” And when first responders came to the Senate to advocate for the bill yesterday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) actually called the Capitol police on them to prevent a sit-in.

Such callous miscarriage of responsibility was not lost on The Daily Show. Ripping the GOP earlier this week for “co-opting 9/11 imagery” while simultaneously killing legislation to help 9/11 victims, host Jon Stewart dedicated his entire show last night to censure their obstruction. Disgusted by Thune’s “deadline for taxes” excuse, Stewart scoffed, “yes there are only two sure things in life. Death and taxes. Apparently, the only thing this cat cares about is taxes.”

Then, in a unique segment for the Daily Show, Stewart held a panel discussion with four 9/11 first responders suffering from serious health issues to offer their views on Republican obstruction. Recounting Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) silence over their plight, Stewart then played McConnell’s emotional, teary farewell to retiring Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

Watch it:

[Dougles]

So Dems' who took 7 years to write this bill, let it sit on their desks fro 2 years, 1 of which they could have passed it without a sinlge republican vote don't share any blame in this??


FYI, 9/11 was NINE years ago... and your getting made about this now?? You are such a hack, it's very sad!

[FisherRd]

Douglas,
You don't expect that fool to understand what you just wrote, do you? Hell, Jon Stewart gave him a marching order and a talking point, he doesn't have time to question it, he only has time to repeat it.

And how many different handouts do the 911 workers and families need? Aren't there already at least 3 or 4 different ways for them to have their health issues covered?

[mnb811]

So Dems' who took 7 years to write this bill, let it sit on their desks fro 2 years, 1 of which they could have passed it without a sinlge republican vote don't share any blame in this??


FYI, 9/11 was NINE years ago... and your getting made about this now?? You are such a hack, it's very sad!

Beautifully said.Dougles. Another political bs hack job.

[BorderBob]

And how many different handouts do the 911 workers and families need? Aren't there already at least 3 or 4 different ways for them to have their health issues covered?

Name them! Cancer is not a disease which manifests itself in near term.

Buy better yet, explain the reason why Republicans need oppose this bill, regardless of how long it took to get here.

The three of you are a piece of work really, always about the messenger and never about the message.


b.b.

[Dougles]

First BOB, the majority of this bill has already been paid for by the state of NY, a lot of the bill, according to Peter King is redundent and a waste...

If it wasn't, why do you think Schumer's lap cat would be offering a bill that almost 1/3 the price tomorrow??

This bill seems to fit the Reid/Pelosi montra... pass it to get it passed, not because it will actually fix a problem!

[FisherRd]

Name them!
You pull this crap all of the time. As usual, when you get smacked across your mug with the facts you'll disappear from the thread never to return.
Cancer is not a disease which manifests itself in near term.
Which has nothing to do with anything.

Buy better yet, explain the reason why Republicans need oppose this bill, regardless of how long it took to get here.
Well copernicus, as I just mentioned/alluded to, it's redundant. There are already programs in place to assist with their medical bills, needs, doctor appts, etc If you're not aware of it (amongst a plethora of other things) that's too frigging bad. Pick up a paper or use google and educate yourself.
The three of you are a piece of work really, always about the messenger and never about the message.


b.b.

So, no leftwing sites have told you how to answer the question of "Why did the Dems wait if this was so important"? Maybe you could hazard a guess on your own, bobby?

[mnb811]

Name them! Cancer is not a disease which manifests itself in near term.

Buy better yet, explain the reason why Republicans need oppose this bill, regardless of how long it took to get here.

The three of you are a piece of work really, always about the messenger and never about the message.


b.b.

These guys got millons already from the US Government. Get it this time from from Saudi since most of their citizens did this. Didn't Germany have to pay the holocaust victims? I am just saying.

[nogods]

So, after the republicans horse trade for it and then vote for it, will they be as bad as the democrats who sponsored the bill? what say you then?

[Mindcrime]

First BOB, the majority of this bill has already been paid for by the state of NY, a lot of the bill, according to Peter King is redundent and a waste...

Actually, it turns out the bill was paid for by closing a tax loophole that benefits "foreign-based" corporations. You know, selfish, rich people who don't want to pay any taxes? That's the real reason Conservatives are blocking it.

[BorderBob]

So, no leftwing sites have told you how to answer the question of "Why did the Dems wait if this was so important"? Maybe you could hazard a guess on your own, bobby?

What facts? There are none in this thread, just your assertions. I don't frequent the right wing hot spots that you do so I depend on you for that point of view.

That said, I did find the leglislative history on this bill. It was introduced in February of 2009.

Nevermind, the THOMAS search link expires after 30 minutes.

b.b.

[mikenold]

These Republicans are an absolute disgrace to the country.

These Republicans are quite simply sticking to their words! They said that they would not vote for any other bill until the tax rate bill (Bush tax cuts) was extended!

The Democrats did not believe them and tried to get this bill passed. The Republicans stood by their word and voted no.

Surprise, the next bill to come to the floor was the tax rate extension. Once this bill was passed the Republicans have been voting on other legislation.

BTW: Another surprise.... Harry Reid also voted no to the 911 bill. The bill will be presented again and the Republicans will now vote on it because the Bush tax rates have been extended for 2 more years.

[FisherRd]

What facts? There are none in this thread, just your assertions. I don't frequent the right wing hot spots that you do so I depend on you for that point of view.
I hate to break it to you bobby, but unlike you and a couple of the other leftwing loons here, I don't need to have my opinions handed to me by some political sites. Get this...I actually read things and form my own opinions on those things. I've been known to bash both sides of the aisle. Could you imagine (just kidding, i know you can't)?
BTW, as is your usual MO, you never seem to answer questions, but always seem to be asking them. If you aren't throwing out strawmen or supplying your opponents' arguments, you're running away from threads. Why do you think that is?
That said, I did find the leglislative history on this bill. It was introduced in February of 2009.

Nevermind, the THOMAS search link expires after 30 minutes.

b.b.

Why was it you think the Dems didn't just pass such important legislation when they had the time and the votes? It's not a trick question. Do you think they were exploiting 911, looking for ammo against republicans, paying lip service, etc?

[nogods]

Why was it you think the Dems didn't just pass such important legislation when they had the time and the votes? It's not a trick question. Do you think they were exploiting 911, looking for ammo against republicans, paying lip service, etc?

When did the Democrats have sufficient votes in the Senate to override the Republican filibuster?

The Republican filibuster is preventing the senate from taking an up or down vote on the legislation. In other words, the Republicans don't want an up or down vote on this legislation.

[BorderBob]

Why was it you think the Dems didn't just pass such important legislation when they had the time and the votes? It's not a trick question. Do you think they were exploiting 911, looking for ammo against republicans, paying lip service, etc?

I don't know that I would call it an MO, but I do like to ask questions. It stimulates conversations, no?

When you look at the numbers of filibusters initiatiated by the Republicans during this Congress you really have to ask why the Dems waited till the lame duck to try and get some important stuff through.

I looked at the leglislative history on this bill and yea, it did take a long time from the time it was introduced (02/09) to the time it hit the Senate (07/10) after passing through at least three sub-committees.

But there is no denial that the number and percentage of filibuster are a Republican issue with little to do with votes in the House. They fulfilled their responbilities.

The Senate is broken. Broken by rules which allow anonymous Senators to hold up appointments and a minority to block leglislation just because they can. Certainly you and I can agree on that, no?



b.b.