August 3, 2010 - Volume VII Edition XIV

http://maloney.house.gov Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's E-Newsletter JAugust 3, 2010 - Volume VII Edition XIV To E-Newsletter Archives   Dear Friends, As many of you may know, last week the House voted on my 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, H.R. 847, which would provide medical monitoring, treatment, and economic compensation for those exposed to toxic cloud that lingered for weeks following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Emotions ran high during the debate, and I was deeply disappointed that the bill did not achieve the two-thirds majority required for passage under suspension of the House rules. But the battle to provide help to the heroes, heroines, and survivors of 9/11 isn’t over -- not by a long shot. The 255 votes in favor of the bill, including 12 Republicans, show that it would have more than enough support to pass the House if it is reconsidered under normal rules, which require only a simple majority, or 218 votes, for passage. I find it astonishing that during a week when Congress approved billions in new funding for the war in Afghanistan, the House dealt a setback to our bill to address the impact of the event that caused the war in the first place: the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The New York Times editorial below states that the House must put partisanship aside and give the 9/11 health bill a second vote requiring only a simple majority for passage. I couldn’t agree more, and it’s my top priority to bring the bill to the House floor under normal procedures after Congress reconvenes in September -- and finally pass it. I thank my good friends and cosponsors Jerry Nadler and Pete King and our colleagues in the New York delegation for their dedication to those who were harmed by the terrorist attacks on our nation. We will not rest until we finally provide proper care for ailing 9/11 responders and survivors, and fill the last remaining gap in America’s recovery from the attacks. Nine long years after the attacks, the living victims of 9/11 are still suffering. We must pass this bill to help them. It is the least we can do as a grateful nation. Very Truly Yours, CAROLYN B. MALONEY Member of Congress P.S. Please feel free to share this email with anyone who may be interested in these issues.  As always, I appreciate your comments and invite you to write to me through my website. Please do not respond to this unattended email account. I look forward to hearing from you!

The New York Times/July 30, 2010

Feckless and Cruel

In a shameful bout of election-year politicking, the House has rejected badly needed help for rescue workers and residents still suffering from the Sept. 11, 2001, destruction of the World Trade Center. What should have been swift bipartisan approval of a plan for medical and economic compensation turned into an ugly political brawl.

The House action was an insult, especially to the tens of thousands of ordinary citizens who pitched in selflessly for weeks in the cleanup, and have since developed grave illnesses from the toxic dust and debris of ground zero. Their needs were pushed aside as lawmaking degenerated into a game of election-year chicken.

The Democratic leadership, cowed by the Republicans’ relentless campaign-focused bluster no matter what the bill, foolishly ordered limited debate. That meant they had to accept an impossible two-thirds vote for approval. Republicans then voted no in near lock step. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was correct in pronouncing a pox on all as the bill fell short, 255 to 159.

The measure, which calls for $3.2 billion in medical aid over eight years and $4.2 billion in economic compensation, should have been put to a simple majority vote. If Republicans chose to oppose it with campaign boilerplate, the blame for failure would undeniably be theirs.

The House leadership needs to bring the measure back for a second vote requiring a simple majority. A small window remains after the summer recess. Lawmakers will have a chance to show that, beyond the fear and loathing that’s driving vicious House partisanship, a shred of comity can still be managed, especially when it comes to the victims of Sept. 11.

The main sponsors, Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler, Democrats of New York, and Representative Peter King, Republican of New York, are rightly still pressing to get the bill passed this year. This September marks the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The country must not forget any of its victims.

Please feel free to share this email with anyone who may be interested in these issues.  As always, I appreciate your comments and invite you to write to me through my website

Sincerely,

CAROLYN B. MALONEY
Member of Congress

P.S. Please do not respond to this unattended email account, but instead click here if you would like to send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you!