Wow: White House opposes funding health bill for 9/11 victims

[fossten]

Link

The state’s two senators and 14 House members met with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius just hours before President Obama implored in his speech to the nation for Congress to come together and deliver a government that delivers on its promises to the American people.

So the legislators were floored to learn the Democratic administration does not want to deliver for the tens of thousands of people who sacrificed after 9/11, and the untold numbers now getting sick.

“I was stunned — and very disappointed,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who like most of the other legislators had expected more of a discussion on how to more forward…

“She made it clear that the administration does not support any kind of funding mechanism that goes into the bill,” said Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel. “I think it’s fiscal restraint… but you know what? They find money for everything else, they need to find money for this,” Engel said…

The legislators did hold out hope, though. McMahon and others said they would appeal to the President to consider adding 9/11 money to the list of mandatory items, rather than discretionary measures subject to the White House planned budget freeze.

 

[04SCTLS]

It is foolish and disgraceful to not support what has become a national shrine.
This is not a huge cost perhaps the cost of 1 B1 Bomber.
Money can be found even for those non indemnified sick volunteers no one asked to come and expose themselves in a toxic zone in the first place.

 

[fossten]

Yeah, Obama's for the little guy.

/s

 

[Calabrio]

...it looks like an $11B slush fund for New York City.

Who was at ground zero? Do you have to prove this?
Everyone who gets sick for the next 30 years and spent an afternoon at the WTC site will have their hand out.

Does it only accommodate first responders?
The construction and iron workers who were cutting up the ruble?
Everyone who lived within a few blocks?

And frankly- weren't all of those guys union with cadillac health care plans?