Washington Republicans Sink to New Low in Voting Down 9/11 First Responders Health Bill

By MURPHY FOR CONGRESS

Washington, D.C) – Yesterday, Washington Republicans sunk to a new partisan low when they blocked a bill to provide healthcare benefits to rescue workers who rushed to help on 9/11, exposing themselves to harmful smoke and debris.

During debate on the bill, GOP Members said they needed more time. (The 9/11 attacks and the cleanup occurred nearly nine years ago.) They objected to the process. They didn’t like that it was paid for by closing tax loopholes on foreign-held companies that do business in the United States, calling it a “tax on foreign companies.”

Former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick has yet to denounce his party for putting politics ahead of all else, including these selfless American heroes.

“Is this the leadership we could expect from former Congressman Fitzpatrick and the GOP?” Patrick Murphy asked after nearly all Republicans voted against the measure. “Bucks County voters want to know why Washington Republicans are turning their back on heroes and whether Fitzpatrick would go along with this blindly partisan agenda.”

While the GOP engages in partisan bickering, 13,000 ground zero rescue workers suffer from exposure from the toxic site. The thousands who rushed to help when the towers were hit didn’t ask for more time to debate. They weren’t distracted by partisan sniping. They ran to help without hesitation, exposing themselves to poisonous air and debris to help their fellow Americans.

John Feal, a demolition worker at Ground Zero voiced his frustration. “They pulled the rug out from beneath our feet,” Feal said. “Whatever member of Congress vote against this bill, whether Republican or Democrat, should go to jail for manslaughter.”

First responder John Foal spoke of the hardships ground zero workers have faced. “I’m utterly disappointed,” he said. “We need health care. We need that compensation. So many men and women are financially burdened.”

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