One Last Note: Republicans Defeat Zadroga Act Extension, As They Had Vowed To Do

Since way back, the GOP Leadership has vowed to cut off aid to all who are suffering from September 11 and its aftermath, -- some bending to pressure locally ( like Rep. Peter King, who of course is actually against the Zadroga Act but realizes his constituents are NY area people who will object)

Boehner was always a big foe of the Zadroga Act--not as big as people like Paul Ryan, of course, or Scott Walker types and the whole Ayn Rand- Tea Party faction of the GOP)

I have relatives in the Midwest who are retired Firefighters who have let me know that people there " don't want to remember Sept 11 anymore" and this is probably true in many other parts of the country--

Good grief, people from the NYPD and FDNY helped out in Oklahoma City after the bombing there,  but Oklahoma with its Big Oil shill Senator Inhofe and general population of smug bible belt types could care less about the people who are now dying of cancer and other illnesses

Donald Trump of course will keep permanently quiet about the whole issue, opportunist that he is

This article from some time back sums it up pretty clearly

JOHN BOEHNER GIVES FIRST RESPONDERS OF 9/11 THE BIRD AS ZADROGA ACT EXPIRES

‘Never Forget’ that John Boehner is an insufferable A-hole

When the twin towers came tumbling down in New York in 2001, Americans watched in horror as First Responders rushed into the burning buildings to save survivors only to have the towers come crashing down upon them. Americans watched the rescue and recovery operations for weeks and months afterwards as men and women worked tirelessly to find any survivors and then remains as they cleared the rubble from Ground Zero.

Today, Ground Zero still affects those men and women, through asthma and terminal cancers from inhaling toxic chemicals and dust from the site. Americans promised to ‘Never Forget’ and extended health benefits to Ground Zero workers through the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which was signed by President Obama in 2011 after lengthy debates and filibusters by the Republicans in Congress.

Now those health and death benefits for First Responders and Ground Zero workers are about to expire and are facing the same opposition by Republicans in Congress.

Speaker John Boehner is strongly opposed to helping these Americans out. The bill was passed before two-thirds of Republicans in Congress were elected, now with a Republican majority skeptical of anything Democrats favor, this bill needs Boehner’s support more than ever.

On a tour of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Boehner said:

So you hear what they’re telling you, but you are also reliving what happened. Your heart breaks for the families. The resolve pushes its way through. You stop to collect your thoughts. You are right back there.

I’m glad I had the chance to go. God bless America.

While Boehner’s “heart breaks” for those who died on 9/11, he hasn’t enough heart to help out those still living with illnesses and cancer caused by the terrorist attacks.

According to The New York Daily News:

The Speaker remains publicly opposed to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which helps those first responders get healthcare. Due to a compromise to ease passage in 2011, the act will start to expire this year if Congress does not extend it.

Through the bill, about 33,000 people, and counting, receive treatment for a least one health issue, ranging from asthma to terminal cancer, linked to exposure to toxins around Ground Zero.

The 64th Chairperson for the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, said:

Boehner voted against the bill in 2010. He has not changed his view.

Republicans who think themselves Patriots, morally superior, and “real” Americans have no respect for the backbone of this country. Don’t forget this is the same party that is quick to send young men and women off to fight in the wars they create only to deny them benefits and care when they return home from war battered and broken. So, I guess this isn’t actually surprising.

There is no telling if Boehner is willing to compromise again to convince his party to vote to renew the benefits before they expire for these dedicated Americans who sacrificed their health and well-being by working tirelessly and bravely at Ground Zero. What is telling is how Republicans toy with ill and dying people and they treat these benefits that are sorely needed as a political game.

Party of moral superiority? Not according to their record.

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Featured image via Wikipedia

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