Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) said that he is appalled House Republicans would reject the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act solely for tawdry political reasons.  Despite the fact that the measure is fully paid for, Republicans elected late Thursday to vote down the bill benefitting the first responders and survivors of the 9-11 attack because they were unable to score political points by introducing multiple amendments irrelevant to the legislation.

“After over 20 years in Congress, I am still amazed at some decisions made by House Republicans.  To use the suffering of 9-11 first responders as a pawn in a political game is a new low.  I am angry not only for my city and state, but for the whole country.  It is an embarrassment that we continue to leave the growing list of sick 9-11 survivors on their own almost nine years after that dreadful day,” said Rep. Engel, the senior New York Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, which passed the bill back in March.

Democrats brought the bill to a vote on the House floor under a system called “Suspension of the Rules.”  Doing so prevents a multitude of amendments to be added to the bill, but requires a two-thirds vote of those present for passage.  Republicans had been expected to add several amendments designed to scare off support, by adding amendments covering controversial topics such as abortion and immigration.  The final vote had 259 yes votes, short of the two-thirds required for passage.  Only 12 Republicans voted yes.  To view Rep. Engel’s comments from the House floor – click here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuHJ5bhKhls  

“September 11 was a tragedy not just for New York, but for the entire nation.   Within days, over 40,000 responders from around the country came to Ground Zero to help.  Americans rose up in our hour of need and came to the aid of those who badly needed it,” said Rep. Engel.  “I ask everyone who voted against this bill – what are you doing for them in their time of need?”

More than 400,000 people are believed to have been exposed to toxins at Ground Zero – including nearly 16,000 first responders, and at least 2,700 community members who are currently sick and receiving treatment.  More than 40,000 first responders are being medically monitored and 71,000 people are enrolled in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry.  This legislation would provide medical monitoring and treatment to victims exposed at Ground Zero.  It provides for research into their 9/11 triggered health conditions.  It will also re-open the 9-11 Victim Compensation Fund for economic losses and harm instead of the current litigation system.   The legislation would cover medical monitoring for those community residents who lived, worked, or were present within a 1.5 mile radius of the World Trade Center that day.  

“We cannot help those that are already lost, but we can help the thousands who are sick.  We must do what is right and show them that their selflessness is shared by the rest of the nation.  Partisanship in Washington has gone too far when 9-11 victims become the latest to be caught in the crossfire.  I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stop the madness and vote for the police, firefighters, Port Authority workers, innocent bystanders and the vast army of volunteers who are sick or dying today because of their selfless deeds, the next time this bill comes before the House for a vote.  Next time, if it is under ‘Regular Order’, I urge them to vote for it without adding any poison pill amendments in an effort to kill the bill,” added Rep. Engel.

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