The $7.4 billion bill passed easily 268 to 160. Seventeen Republicans supported the measure, while three Democrats voted against the bill.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke out on the House floor in favor of the bill, saying it will help those who jeopardize their health to rescue others, secure necessary medical treatment especially for the unique exposures suffered at Ground Zero, and ensures survivors and victims’ families can attain compensation for their losses.

“They and those who rushed to the scene in real time when it happened risked their lives and their health to do so. They didn’t ask any questions. Is anybody going to take care of me? They were there to help,” Pelosi said. “Today we remember all the heroes of 9/11, we praised the strength of thousands of firefighters, rescue workers, first responders and medical personnel who turned tragedy into inspiration, and gave themselves, of themselves, to help a city and our nation rebuild.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the House for passing the bill, but urged the Senate to pass the bill during the lame duck session of Congress after the congressional midterm elections.

“Today’s vote acknowledges that the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks were an attack on America, and addressing its health impacts is a national duty. This bill recognizes that the country should be there for the tens of thousands of responders who were there for us on 9/11,” Bloomberg said. “It is imperative that we secure a commitment to bring this bill up in the Senate before the current Congress goes out of session and I will be working very hard with our Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer to ensure that happens.  The President has said he will sign this bill when it reaches his desk. It’s not enough to pass a bill in the House – we need to make this legislation law.”

Pelosi said the legislation, which was introduced by New York Democrat Rep. Carolyn Maloney, is fully paid for and does not increase the deficit.

“We pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that their health and wellbeing would be taken care of. We don’t want them to be unsung heroes. We want them to be recognized heroes,” Pelosi said. “Today we are here to honor that pledge. It’s long overdue.”

An attempt last July to get the bill through the House failed because it was brought to the floor under an expedited procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage, which it failed to get.

The House bill is named for James Zadroga, who was a New York City Police Department officer who died of a respiratory disease linked to his participation in rescue and recovery operations in the rubble of the World Trade Center. 9/11 rescue workers and first responders including members of the New York Police Department and New York Fire Department firefighters came to the Capitol today to witness the vote.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, said she’s working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate during the lame duck session.

“This should not be a partisan issue. We have an undeniable, moral obligation to pass this legislation and provide care to the thousands of heroes and survivors who are suffering, dying, and waiting for us to deliver the care they need,” Gillibrand said. “It’s time to seize every opportunity, pass this legislation, and keep our promise to the heroes of this country who came to our rescue on 9/11.”

The post House Passes 9/11 Health and Compensation Act appeared first on 9/11 Truth News.

Why have you failed us?

Two years ago, when you were asking for our votes for president, your campaign said you supported the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide us with the health care we earned through our service to this country. Since that time, though, you’ve said absolutely nothing about the heroes of 9/11. We thought you would be our champion, because the last administration failed us. Thousands of brave men & woman need your voice & support.

While supporting or opposing the mosque near ground zero is not an issue for us, it is disturbing that you have the time and energy to speak in favor of the mosque, but not on the health crisis caused by the attacks. It is our understanding that you have never personally addressed the issue of 9/11 responders and survivors on your own, and that the only time you have even mentioned the issue was when you were confronted about it.

We’re sure your advisers will say that you put $150 million in the budget this year for 9/11 health programs, and that shows your support for our cause – but we both know that 1) this is not even close to what you committed to support during the campaign, and 2) your administration has had to be dragged kicking and screaming into providing help for 9/11 responders – in fact, you only pledged the $150 million when you were pressed on the issue.

9/11 responders and survivors with lifelong illnesses need guaranteed health care, not a single year’s funding. Your budget also will do nothing for the men and women who can’t work because of their illnesses, and struggle to pay their mortgages and feed their families.

We are sure you are planning to come to New York on September 11th to honor those who died, as well you should, but it would be an insult to us if you were to come to New York and not say anything about the bill to help sick and dying 9/11 responders. After nine years of speeches and tributes but no action, we’ve heard enough. And sir if you choose not to come to New York on the 9th anniversary, then I implore you to make a public statement saying you support 9/11 responders, those effected by 9/11 and it’s aftermath and our bill HR.847 & S.1334. God bless you Mr. President, God bless America & God bless the tens of thousands of men & woman who need your support.

“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure”
— Abraham Lincoln

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Committee: Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions
Date: Tuesday, June 29 2010, 2:30 PM
Place: SD-430

Witnesses
Panel I
The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand , United States Senator, Hudson, NY

Panel II
Dr. John Howard , Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA

Panel III
IIIa Dr. Jim Melius , Administrator of the New York State Laborers’ Health and Safety Trust Fund and Chair of the Steering Committee for the WTC Medical Monitoring and Steering Program, Albany, NY

IIIb Dr. David Prezant , Chief Medical Officer, Fire Department of New York City, Office of Medical Affairs, New York, NY

IIIc Lt. Martin Fullam , Firefighter, Fire Department of New York City, New York, NY

IIId Margrily Garcia , Patient, World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, New York, NY

The post Examining the Continuing Needs of 9/11 Workers appeared first on 9/11 Truth News.