http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/09/senate.9.11.responders/index.html?hpt=T1
9/11 responders bill defeated by Senate GOP filibuster
By the CNN Wire Staff
December 9, 2010 11:05 p.m. EST
Senate Democrats failed Thursday to win a procedural vote to open debate on a 9/11 emergency responders bill.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The motion for cloture, or to begin debate, needed 60 votes to pass due to a Republican
filibuster, but fell short at 57-42 in favor.
While supporters said they would try to bring the bill up again, either on its own or as
part of other legislation to be considered, the vote Thursday jeopardized the measure's
chances for approval in the final weeks of the current congressional session.
The House previously passed the bill on a mostly partisan 268-160 vote.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg reacted to Thursday's result by calling it "a
tragic example of partisan politics trumping patriotism."
"I urge Senate Republicans to reconsider their wrong-headed political strategy and allow the
bill to come to the floor for a vote," Bloomberg said in a statement.
Republicans complained that the $7.4 billion price tag was too high, while Democrats
said the government had an obligation to help the first responders to the deadliest terrorism
attack in U.S. history.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill -- named after a deceased New York Police
Department detective who had worked in the toxic plume at ground zero -- seeks to provide
free medical coverage for responders and survivors who were exposed to toxins after the
attacks.
Justin Beck
Mr. Beck
December 10, 2010
Current Event
Senate Republicans filibustered a proposed bill to extend medical benefits to first
responders. The health bill seeks to provide greater coverage for people who were the
first to respond to the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11. Republican Senators are
fillibustering the bill because of the bill’s price tag, which weighs in at a hefty $7.4
billion dollars. Senate Democrats argue despite its cost that the bill is the right thing to do.
The bill, The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill, is named after a first reposnder who died
because of the toxins he was exposed to on that day. Mayor Bloomberg, who is an
independent, has said that this is sign of the pittiful partisianship that has befallen
washington in recent months.
If you were a Senate Republican how would you have voted and why?
What should Senate Democrats do?
Are some things too costly to be done, regardless of their potential good?
Is a fillibuster an effective form of governing?
What things would you be willing to use a filibuster for?
What do you think will happen to the bill now?
Can and should the President get involved?
Are people entitled to exceptional treatment if they have endured exceptional
circumstances?
If this bill is passed for first responders, will any of it apply to soldiers?
Do you think Senate Republicans would have done this if they had an upcoming election,
why, or why not?