Gillibrand, Schumer: New Momentum For 9/11 Health Bill

Key test vote in Senate for 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON—The Senate is set for a key test vote on a bill to aid people who became sick after being exposed to Toxins at the World Trade Center ruins following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said they were confident they had the 60 votes needed to prevail on the vote expected Wednesday after the Senate completes its work on an Arms Control treaty with Russia. But they worry that Republicans who oppose the measure could try to s...

Senators still see chance for 9/11 health bill
A retooled bill providing medical care for Firefighters and other emergency responders to the September 11, 2001 attacks could be resurrected soon in the Senate, a few weeks after Republicans blocked the measure, backers said on Sunday. “We believe we are on a path to victory by the end of this week,” said Senator Charles Schumer. But he was quick to add that unexpected obstacles could arise. He and fellow New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand outlined for reporters some changes they w...

Senators see chance for passing 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON | Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:08am EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A retooled bill providing medical care for Firefighters and other emergency responders to the September 11, 2001 attacks could be resurrected soon in the Senate, a few weeks after Republicans blocked the measure, backers said on Sunday. "We believe we are on a path to victory by the end of this week," said Senator Charles Schumer. But he was quick to add that unexpected obstacles could arise. He and fellow New York Senator Kirste...

Senators see chance for passing 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON | Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:08am EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A retooled bill providing medical care for Firefighters and other emergency responders to the September 11, 2001 attacks could be resurrected soon in the Senate, a few weeks after Republicans blocked the measure, backers said on Sunday. "We believe we are on a path to victory by the end of this week," said Senator Charles Schumer. But he was quick to add that unexpected obstacles could arise. He and fellow New York Senator Kirste...

Senators see chance for passing 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A retooled bill providing medical care for Firefighters and other emergency responders to the September 11, 2001 attacks could be resurrected soon in the Senate, a few weeks after Republicans blocked the measure, backers said on Sunday. "We believe we are on a path to victory by the end of this week," said Senator Charles Schumer. But he was quick to add that unexpected obstacles could arise. He and fellow New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand outlined for reporters some cha...

Coburn Threatens to Block 9/11 Bill
(Wall Street Journal) - New York lawmakers were pleading with Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn Tuesday not to use procedural rules to block Legislation that would provide aid to sick Ground Zero workers. Coburn, a Republican, has said he has concerns about the bill and wants to put it on hold until 2011. Proponents of the $6.2 billion measure contend that waiting for the next congressional session is akin to killing the bill because the incoming Republican majority in the House is unlikely to support it...

1st Responders Press Senate Over 9/11 Health Bill
NEW YORK (CBS 2/ WCBS 880/1010 WINS) — First Responders who became sick after working at Ground Zero following the World Trade Center terror attacks were in Washington Tuesday, hoping the trip would be the last one they needed to make. Supporters were optimistic the Senate would approve a scaled-back version of the measure before the Lame Duck session ends, Jay Dow reported. A newly revised version of the bill cuts costs by a billion dollars, essentially self-funds the program, and in doin...

Bloomberg urges passage of 9/11 health bill
New York (CNN) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined lawmakers, police and fire officials on Monday in urging U.S. Senate passage of a Health Care bill benefiting September 11 Rescue Workers. "The time for excuses is over," Bloomberg said. "The Senate has a full week ahead of it and should not adjourn until it passes this bill." Bloomberg said the measure is paid for by "other revenue generators," referencing a procurement fee on some foreign countries that tra...

9/11 health bill passage could come tomorrow
The Senate is expected to clear a procedural hurdle Wednesday that could lead to final passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act later in the day. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has assured both New York senators a vote on the bill will occur after the Senate finishes work on the START nuclear arms treaty with Russia. That’s expected to happen either late in the afternoon or early evening Wednesday. New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand ha

Key test vote in Senate for 9/11 health bill (AP)
WASHINGTON – The Senate is set for a key test vote on a bill to aid people who became sick after being exposed to Toxins at the World Trade Center ruins following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said they were confident they had the 60 votes needed to prevail on the vote expected Wednesday after the Senate completes its work on an Arms Control treaty with Russia. But they worry that Republicans who oppose the measure could try t...

Key test vote in Senate for 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is set for a key test vote on a bill to aid people who became sick after being exposed to Toxins at the World Trade Center ruins following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said they were confident they had the 60 votes needed to prevail on the vote expected Wednesday after the Senate completes its work on an Arms Control treaty with Russia. But they worry that Republicans who oppose the measure could tr...

Dems: Congress Will OK Aid for 9/11 Responders
The latest on President Obama, the new Congress and other news from Washington and around the nation. Join the discussion. WASHINGTON (AP) — New York's two senators said Monday that the votes are there for Congress to approve a scaled-back bill providing extra benefits to emergency workers who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center. But one of them, Charles Schumer, expressed concern that opponents might use a Filibuster to kill the bill as Congress tries to complete its busin...

White House Looks to Jon Stewart in 9/11 Health Bill Bid
Because Jon Stewart is just so popular with the GOP(?!), the White House is taking the funnyman seriously when it comes to the proposed First Responders’ health measure. Not doing much to convince certain detractors that “The Daily Show” is in cahoots with the Obama administration, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs voiced his hope, during a press briefing Tuesday, that Jon Stewart would be able to rouse support among members of the Senate for a health measure designed t...

9/11 Christmas Widow Wants Congress to Finish Zadroga
Magda Ryan wants Congress to think about her last Christmas while they ponder whether to head home and celebrate this year, or stay to pass the 9/11 health bill. Because a year ago Dec. 25 is the day she lost her husband, city Firefighter Jim Ryan, to Cancer that his doctors blamed on the poisons he breathed at Ground Zero, first trying to save people, then hauling the dead from the horrifying wreckage. “I’m anxious. I'm concerned about how my kids are going to feel on that day,&...

Hoyer still 'hopeful' House can pass 9/11 first-responders health bill this week
A top House Democrat said Tuesday that Legislation providing healthcare services for 9/11 Rescue Workers is still on track for a House vote this week. After talks with bill supporters in the Senate, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he remains hopeful the upper chamber will send the proposal back to the House "by tonight or early tomorrow morning." Hoyer said he spoke Tuesday morning with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a lead sponsor of the Senate Bill, to discuss plans for f...

Senator Tom Coburn Vows To Hold Up 9-11 Health Care Bill
Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn says he will stop the bill to help Ground Zero workers from getting through the Senate before Christmas. The $6.2 billion bill has the votes, but senators can put up procedural hurdles. The outlay would be covered by a 2% fee on imports and services from companies that are not members of the Agreement on Government Procurement, a treaty of the World Trade Organization. Congress would also continue a fee on travelers to the U.S. and a charge on Outsourcing companies ...

Schumer Sees End In Sight on 9/11 Health Bill
Chuck Schumer just emailed over a statement that says—assuming no Republicans play the obstructionist—the Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill will pass the Senate. After speaking with Leader Reid, it appears that the 9-11 health bill will come up for a key vote in the Senate tomorrow, once the START Treaty is completed. It will be decision day in the Senate, and we will see once and for all who will keep their promise to never forget the heroes of 9/11. After this vote, we believe it will be ...

9/11 first responders urge passage of heath bill
Washington (CNN) - A group of 9/11 First Responders joined lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday to urge the Senate passage of a Health Care bill meant to provide free medical treatment to those suffering from the health effects of working in ground-zero conditions following the 2001 attacks. "Fourteen of our guys died that day and we continue to see our friends die on a day-to-day basis," said Glen Klein, a New York Police Officer who said he is sick with lung disease. "We're asking for the right...

Schumer To House: Please Stick Around For Zadroga Vote
Sen. Chuck Schumer just released the following statement on the ongoing effort in Washington to pass the Zadroga bill: “After speaking with Leader Reid, it appears that the 9-11 health bill will come up for a key vote in the Senate tomorrow, once the START Treaty is completed. It will be decision day in the Senate, and we will see once and for all who will keep their promise to never forget the heroes of 9/11.” After this vote, we believe it will be clear that a Supermajority of the...

Not Backing Down: Coburn Outlines Opposition to 9/11 Bill, Could Keep Senate In Session Through Christmas
ABC News’ Matthew Jaffe reports: In the face of mounting criticism about his opposition to the 9/11 bill, is Sen. Tom Coburn backing down? Not exactly. The Oklahoma Republican just posted a seven-page document on his website outlining why he opposes it. “The United States of America does have an obligation to provide for those devastated by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It is not Unpatriotic, however, to express concerns with the specific approach” of the bill,” he said

Key test vote in Senate for 9/11 health bill
WASHINGTON — The Senate is set for a key test vote on a bill to aid people who became sick after being exposed to Toxins at the World Trade Center ruins after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Backers of the bill say they have the 60 votes needed to prevail on the vote expected Wednesday. But they worry that Republicans who oppose the measure could try to stall a final vote as Congress nears the holidays and the end of its Lame Duck session. The bill would provide up to $6.2 billion in medica...

Key Test Vote in Senate for 9/11 Health Bill
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 By Andrew Miga, Associated Press Washington (AP) - The Senate is set for a key test vote on a bill to aid people who became sick after being exposed to Toxins at the World Trade Center ruins after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Backers of the bill say they have the 60 votes needed to prevail on the vote expected Wednesday. But they worry that Republicans who oppose the measure could try to stall a final vote as Congress nears the holidays and the end of its lame duc...

Take Action NOW for 9/11 Heroes
       Senate Republicans have blocked needed Health Care sevices  for 9/11 First Responders and recovery workers. In the words of Arizona Sen. John McCain, such Legislation is just “fooling around.” That’s not the way this country should treat those who unconditionally risked their lives to save others. In fact, it’s un-American.  Even though Congress is set to leave town any day, it’s not too late for lawmakers to pass the James

No Joke: Stewart's Barbs Got 9/11 Health Bill Moving
UPDATE: Despite growing support for the bill, there is no indication Tuesday night that Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla, is willing to allow the 9/11 First Responder's bill through the Senate. Read about his argument HERE . ORIGINAL POST: The White House said today that comedian Jon Stewart has “put the awareness” around the 9/11 Health Care responders Legislation, hoping that will lead to additional Republican votes for the bill. “If there's the ability for that to sort of bre...

NY Lawmakers Hope To Pass 9/11 Bill During Lame Duck
NEW YORK (CBS 2) — The Senate is expected to begin debating the 9/11 health bill once more this week, the last week of the session, but as Kathryn Brown reports, New York lawmakers said this time they think they’ll succeed. “We believe we’ve secured enough Republican votes to prevail,” Senator Chuck Schumer said. “America will be watching very closely on how the senate votes on something that goes fundamentally to the issue of who we are as Americans and wheth...