Schumer Seeks Republican Support for $7.4 Billion Trade Center Health Bill
Democratic Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said they are pressing Republicans to vote for a $7.4 billion bill providing health care to people sickened by work at the World Trade Center site.
Schumer and Gillibrand told reporters in Washington today they’re working to secure the votes needed to pass the legislation before the end of year, when the current congressional session ends. Joining them were union leaders, people who worked at the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“We don’t have the votes that we need right now, but we are working very hard to get them,” Schumer said. “We are close.”
The House in September passed the bill, which would provide medical care, testing and compensation payments for those exposed by toxic dust from the destroyed skyscrapers. More than 30,000 workers and survivors of the 2001 attacks are suffering from illnesses caused by such exposure, according to supporters of the legislation.
The bill is among measures lawmakers are racing to finish over the next two months, before Republicans take control of the House and reduce Democrats’ Senate majority by six seats. The bill drew opposition from some Republicans who balked at creating the benefit program.
‘Moral Obligation’
The program would be paid for by eliminating a tax break that applies to foreign corporations with U.S. subsidiaries.
“This should not be a partisan fight,” Gillibrand said. “We have an undeniable moral obligation.”
Bloomberg came to Washington to meet with Republicans to seek support for the bill. Republican backing is needed to reach the 60 votes necessary to ensure the measure comes to a vote by the full Senate.
“We cannot wait any longer for action on this legislation,” said Bloomberg. “Let’s work together, on both sides of the aisle, now to ensure that those who survived the attacks and all those who risked their lives receive the health care they need.”
Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News.
To contact the reporters on this story: William Selway in Washington at wselway@bloomberg.net;
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at mtannen@bloomberg.net
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