Mike Castle Votes Against 9/11 First Responders

I’m sure by now everyone’s seen Congressman Anthony Weiner’s famous rant after the failure of a bill to provide additional health care for 9/11 first responders. (If not, it’s worth a watch).

The bill that was defeated was HR 847. Here’s a summary of the bill:

2/4/2009–Introduced.
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009 – Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health the World Trade Center Health Program (WTC program) to provide:
(1) medical monitoring and treatment benefits to eligible emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers who responded to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; and
(2) initial health evaluation, monitoring, and treatment benefits to residents and other building occupants and area workers who were directly impacted and adversely affected by such attacks. Requires the WTC program administrator to:
(1) implement a quality assurance program;
(2) establish the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee;
(3) establish the WTC Responders Steering Committee and the WTC Community Program Steering Committee;
(4) provide for education and outreach on services under the WTC program;
(5) provide for the uniform collection of data related to WTC-related health conditions;
(6) conduct research on physical and mental health conditions that may be related to the September 11 terrorist attacks; and
(7) extend and expand arrangements with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide for the World Trade Center Health Registry. Authorizes the administrator to make grants to the Department to address mental health needs relating to the terrorist attacks.Amends the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to:
(1) make individuals eligible for compensation under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 for harm as a result of debris removal; and
(2) extend the deadline for making a claim for compensation.

The bill was defeated 255-159. It needed a 2/3 majority to pass because Democrats were trying to pass the bill unamended. They were afraid of Republicans adding “poison pill” amendments to the bill to put Democrats on the spot by voting against them, so the majority tried to pass the bill under a suspension of the rules. The Republicans were angered by their inability to amend the bill so most voted against it – meaning the bill was defeated. I guess helping 9/11 first responders isn’t all that important when your feelings are hurt.

Everyone who voted against the bill was a Republican, including Republican Mike Castle.

h/t Rob Tornoe for bringing this to my attention.