House Republicans late Thursday were able to
corral enough votes to defeat a bill that would have provided up to $7.4
billion in aid to those sickened by toxins resulting from the 9/11 attacks.
In the process, they set off a host of fiery
speeches and denunciations from their Democratic colleagues and produced a
veritable YouTube moment from Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y), whose district
includes many of the affected.
At the heart of the debate was a procedural
maneuver made by Democrats to suspend the rules before consideration of the
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The move allowed leadership to
block potential GOP amendments to the measure (there was worry that Republicans
would attach something overtly partisan in hopes that it could pass on the
otherwise widely-popular measure). It also meant that the party needed a
two-thirds majority vote.
When the final tally was announced, there were
255 representatives for the measure, 159 against. The defeat of the bill, which
would have provided free health care to those affected during the 9/11 rescue
and recovery, likely means that the court system will have to settle
compensation issues.
Watch Rep. Weiner's fiery admonishment here:
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