[Update: Mon 12/20, 8PM: I'm hearing that Brown's offices are saying he's still opposed to the bill's funding--(in spite of the changes brokered by the indefatigable Sen. Gillibrand?)--"even though" he "supports" the bill in spirit. Given that he has just voted for a MASSIVE increase in the deficit w/ the tax bill--this reasoning cannot stand. Is Scott Brown really saying that Tax Loopholes for Foreign Corporations are more important than taking care of 9/11 First Responders? Call him. Tell him to stop dawdling: support our heroes now]
[Update: The Zadroga bill is definitely going for another vote, before Congress closes shop] The New York Times is reporting that the Zadroga bill--which provides some financial relief and health coverage to the first responders and rescuers of 9/11/01 (many of whom are getting cancers and other serious/life-ending ailments from the toxic fumes from the fire and pile)--has gotten "new Republican support" and may be will be coming up for a vote again before this Lame Duck is over. Let's hope so.
[UPDATE: it's coming for a vote--switch your calls to SCOTT BROWN:
202-224-4543 ph.; Fax (202) 228-2646 (use free services on the web to fax!)] Please call/fax/email Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and ask him to bring the Zadroga Bill back for a vote before the lame duck endsDC Phone: 202-224-3542 - Fax: 202-224-7327 (I use http://faxzero.com to fax from the web) -
In light of these new developments (also covered here by ABC News), I'm posting here in order to collect/organize relevant info/material on the bill, as I find it.
The NYT is reporting that the 9/11 Zadroga bill is getting new support from the GOP, which has so shamefully turned its back on these heroes before.
PLEASE bring it back to a vote before Lame Duck is over. People are paying attention to this issue now, after the Daily Show*, and public pressure can make this finally happen for these so deserving men and women who gave so selflessly in 2001 and after.
Thank you,
*PS I think it is a failure of the Democratic party that it took Jon Stewart to bring the public's focus to this issue."
US Chamber of Commerce wrote a blog post--copying it here, in case it suddenly disappears... http://www.chamberpost.com/2010/12/the-latest-misinformation-campaign-the-911-responders-bill.html "The Latest Misinformation Campaign: The 9/11 Responders Bill
by Tita Freeman
One of the complaints about the online world is that half-truths can be hatched and spread worldwide in an instant, often posted by someone with a particular agenda - and with no regard to the facts - and then spread, repeated a thousand fold by a complicit or unwitting mob. We have seen too many of these to count, and we dare not link to them so as not to start these misguided brushfires anew.
The latest is a yarn being spun about the 9/11 responders bill by our loyal opposition. (You know who you are...) Although they are out there agitating and saying we've opposed the bill - merely to further their own agenda - the fact is that we have taken no position on the core bill, but have opposed the way its authors are proposing to pay for it. The current version proposes to offset the costs through certain pay fors which are of concern to business. In fact, 10 other broad-based associations sent a letter today articulating this concern. But as for the core bill, we have taken no position.
One more time, for clarity's sake: While we've opposed paying for it with offsets harmful to the business community and the economy, we have not taken a position on the underlying 9/11 responders bill.
First names requested for commenters! Choose the "Name/URL" comment type on the menu (URL not required).
Comments are moderated and will not immediately appear. I may not approve comments that are negative in tone, nasty or unproductive, the final arbitration of which is dependent on me alone. : )
Anonymous pissy comments will not be approved, so don't bother. If you want to fight with me, do it on twitter. thanks!
I faxed this to Harry Reid the other day:
ReplyDelete"Dear Senator Reid:
The NYT is reporting that the 9/11 Zadroga bill is getting new support from the GOP, which has so shamefully turned its back on these heroes before.
PLEASE bring it back to a vote before Lame Duck is over. People are paying attention to this issue now, after the Daily Show*, and public pressure can make this finally happen for these so deserving men and women who gave so selflessly in 2001 and after.
Thank you,
*PS I think it is a failure of the Democratic party that it took Jon Stewart to bring the public's focus to this issue."
US Chamber of Commerce wrote a blog post--copying it here, in case it suddenly disappears...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chamberpost.com/2010/12/the-latest-misinformation-campaign-the-911-responders-bill.html
"The Latest Misinformation Campaign: The 9/11 Responders Bill
by Tita Freeman
One of the complaints about the online world is that half-truths can be hatched and spread worldwide in an instant, often posted by someone with a particular agenda - and with no regard to the facts - and then spread, repeated a thousand fold by a complicit or unwitting mob. We have seen too many of these to count, and we dare not link to them so as not to start these misguided brushfires anew.
The latest is a yarn being spun about the 9/11 responders bill by our loyal opposition. (You know who you are...) Although they are out there agitating and saying we've opposed the bill - merely to further their own agenda - the fact is that we have taken no position on the core bill, but have opposed the way its authors are proposing to pay for it. The current version proposes to offset the costs through certain pay fors which are of concern to business. In fact, 10 other broad-based associations sent a letter today articulating this concern. But as for the core bill, we have taken no position.
One more time, for clarity's sake: While we've opposed paying for it with offsets harmful to the business community and the economy, we have not taken a position on the underlying 9/11 responders bill.
Hope this clears it up."