(Washington, DC) -- The House of Representatives has rejected a bill that would have provided help for thousands of first responders and recovery workers, who spent countless hours at Ground Zero. The House failed to muster the two-thirds votes required to pass the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act. The measure would have provided seven-and-a-half-billion dollars for health care coverage for first responders that became ill after working on the toxic dust and debris at the World Trade Center site. Queens Congressman Anthony Weiner gave an impassioned speech for the measure.
Members of New York and New Jersey's Congressional Delegation may try to push for another vote on the bill after the August recess. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls the bill's failure outrageous and blamed both parties for its defeat. The bill is named after an NYPD Detective whose death was attributed to working at the World Trade Center site. He died in 2006.
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Queens Congressman Weiner says the GOP is letting partisan politics stand in the way of what he believes is right.
Long Island Congressman Peter King blames House Democrats for ensuring the bill would fail in an election year vote.
Queens Congressman Gary Ackerman says House members should recognize the sacrifices made on 9-11.
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