Washington (CNN) — Senate Democrats failed Thursday to win a procedural vote to open debate on a bill that would provide medical benefits and compensation for emergency workers who were first on the scene of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The motion for cloture, or to begin debate, needed 60 votes to pass due to a Republican filibuster, but fell short at 57-42 in favor. While supporters said they would try to bring the bill up again, either on its own or as part of other legislation to be considered, the vote Thursday jeopardized the measure’s chances for approval in the final weeks of the current congressional session. The House previously passed the bill on a mostly partisan 268-160 vote…. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill — named after a deceased New York Police Department detective who had worked in the toxic plume at ground zero — seeks to provide free medical coverage for responders and survivors who were exposed to toxins after the attacks.
I’m not certain how a reasonable person, one with a sense of humanity and compassion, could take Republicans seriously these days. How do you explain a party which demands the President get serious about fighting terrorism, and yet refuses to pass legislation prohibiting those on the government’s “no fly” list from purchasing guns. “Sorry, you’re far too potentially dangerous to be alloedw on a commercial airplane, but we have NO Problem with you buying guns.” Think about the for a moment; I defy you to comprehend the absurdity of it.
It gets worse. In addition to having no problem with potential terrorists buying guns, Republicans in the Senate failed to pass a bill that would have provided free medical coverage to 9/11 first responders. More than FOURTEEN years later, and 9/11 first responders are still struggling to receive the health care they deserve. They risked their lives at Ground Zero- and many have passed away due to the effects of exposure to toxic substances- and Republicans in the Senate continue to reward their service and sacrifice with a resounding “F—K YOU!”
Now THAT’S some principled leadership, eh?
The selfishness, political calculation, and sheer inhumanity of Republican inaction are things that, no matter how hard I try, I can’t wrap my head around. There’s no logical argument to be made in either case- other than attributing their cynicism to what former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called “a tragic example of partisan politics trumping patriotism.” This is what happens when you care more about politics than the country and the people you represent.
The refusal to deny potential terrorists what Proudly Closed-minded Gun Control Foes © would call their “2nd Amendment rights” is stunning and inexplicable enough. It’s difficult to comprehend the hypocrisy and corruption extant in the decision taken by Republicans. Not passing the Zadroga Bill takes Republican heartlessness and inhumanity to new depths. A piece of legislation that should have encountered no partisan opposition from either side of the aisle was killed by Republicans out of pure cynicism and political calculation.
Congratulations, America; you have exactly the quality of leadership you deserve. What’s stunning is that your standards and expectations are so distressingly low.
