Last Blog

On Wednesday the Senate approved a bill to cover the cost of medical care for rescue workers of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Many of these workers became sick from breathing in toxic fumes, dust and smoke from the attacks, which is why this bill was created. The vote was passed by unanimous consent. It came soon after a deal was reached between conservative Republicans and Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Democrats of New York. Mr. Schumer and Ms. Gillibrand agreed to changes demanded by the conservative lawmakers, who raised concerns about the measure’s cost. These same conservative lawmakers in fact prevented the bill from advancing in the Senate. After drawing criticism in recent days from Democrats and Republicans alike, the Republican senators backed down. Under the new agreement, the bill provides $4.3 billion over five years for health coverage to the 9/11 workers, instead of the original $7.4 billion over eight years.

I understand why this bill had unanimous support as it is one which provides health care for the courageous people who served as first responders to 9/11. In a joint statement Mr. Schumer and Ms. Gillibrand declared this bill will “protect the health of the men and women who selflessly answered our nation’s call in her hour of greatest need”. An interesting point was stated by one of the main critics of the bill, Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma. His problem was not providing these heroes with money but it was the amount of money that was being provided. Although he expressed satisfaction with the legislation’s final price tag he stated that, “it is not compassionate to help one group while robbing future generations of opportunity”. He makes sure to provide the heroes of today with money while also being cognizant of the fact that the heroes of tomorrow may also need money.