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“House GOP leaders: 9/11 first responders aid bill ‘a massive new entitlement program'”

Politico:

House Republican leadership is advising its members to vote against a bipartisan bill that would, among other things, bolster medical support to Sept. 11 victims.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), would provide medical monitoring to those exposed to toxins at ground zero, bolster treatment at specialized centers for those afflicted by toxins on Sept. 11 and reopen a compensation fund to provide for the economic loss of victims.

And it’s all paid for by closing a tax loophole on foreign companies with U.S. subsidiaries, Democrats said.

But according to Republicans, it’s a job-killing growth of government that wou[l]d create a new entitlement and waste taxpayer dollars.

The bill, if passed, would reopen the Victims Compensation Fund until 2031 — instead of litigation, victims could try to get money from the fund. Republicans are calling the extension “well beyond what is needed to take care of latent claims,” according to a policy statement from the GOP.

“Republicans continue to believe that those who responded to the [World Trade Center] attack should get the treatment and liability protection they need because they dutifully answered a call for help,” the policy statement reads.

But this bill, according to Republicans, “creates a massive new entitlement program, exposes taxpayers to increased litigation and is ‘paid for’ with tax increases and potential job losses.”

Naturally, the typical response from the left has been along the lines of “WHY DO REPUBLICANS HATE THE HEROES? — which, let’s face it, was inevitable and entirely predictable. And yet, earlier on, they didn’t appear all that concerned about such people, if I’m remembering correctly.

Makes me wonder what is really at play here:

One of the most significant concerns about this bill is its continued reliance on the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to administer 9/11 health programs. NIOSH has sent $475 million in grants to New York to pay for health care benefits. Yet to this day, NIOSH, the city of New York and the various health care providers who received grants have failed to tell Congress where that money has gone. For example, Mount Sinai Medical Center has received about $137 million from NIOSH since 2004. Until they can show where that money was spent, it is irresponsible to give them more.

The proponents of this bill say it terminates the current programs and replaces them with one program run by a single administrator. In reality, the new program administrator would still be NIOSH, the same agency that has inadequately administered the program. Without the basic facts about the programs NIOSH administered for the past eight years, it is hard to design an effective program for the future.

The American people need to know that money is being used effectively because frankly, the nation can’t afford careless spending, no matter how well-intentioned. Our country is in the midst of trying to head off a short-term economic crisis and long-term deficit crisis that could deeply hurt us all. We need money to help 9/11 responders. We need money to help the men and women who are returning from the front lines of two wars. Victims of natural disasters, the poor and unemployed all warrant our attention. We owe it to all of them to use what money we have in the best way we can. In order to do that, legislators must take the time to consider, amend and vote on bills in the committees of jurisdiction.

Wait, responsible and effective spending?

Racists!

108 Replies to ““House GOP leaders: 9/11 first responders aid bill ‘a massive new entitlement program'””

  1. cranky-d says:

    House Republican leadership is advising its members to vote against a bipartisan bill that would, among other things, bolster medical support to Sept. 11 victims.

    That right there, that “among other things” bit, that really needs to stop. I want to see bills that are just one subject, and preferably fit on one page. I certainly don’t want all that spending crammed together in giant “take it or leave it” messes that tack unnecessary spending onto necessary spending.

  2. Darleen says:

    I want to see bills that are just one subject,

    that was part of the Pledge to America

    BTW… I heard a suggestion the other day that makes sense. We just allow 911 first responders have access to the VA hospital system. If it’s good enought for our military, it is good enough for those that responded to an act of war.

  3. cranky-d says:

    We just allow 911 first responders have access to the VA hospital system.

    That sounds like a very reasonable idea to me. Therefore, it will probably not happen.

    Again, this could fit on one page.

  4. Barrett Brown says:

    I think it could probably be argued that some Republicans have occasionally made use of the “why do our opponents hate the heroes?” formulation. Also, howdy!

  5. dicentra says:

    Sorry to go OT so fast, but did any of you know this?

    19 Dec 2010—Snow fell in Australia on Monday, as the usual hot and summery December weather was replaced in parts by icy gusts sweeping up from the Southern Ocean, giving the country a taste of a white Christmas.

    For those of you still drunk on hopenchange, that’s two days before the antipodean summer solstice.

    That’s like snow in Fresno on June 19th.

  6. SDN says:

    BB must be writing another book and needs some scare quotes…

  7. sdferr says:

    This is starting to take on a “What, you whiteys didn’t get any o’ that sweet sweet Pigford dough? Well, we’ll fix that right up for ya” odor to it.

  8. dicentra says:

    Oh look. Barrett Brown.

    How’s that libel charge against RSM going, eh? Get sufficient attention over that or are you hoping to start a blogfight with Jeff now?

  9. Jim in KC says:

    FDNY doesn’t offer health insurance to its employees?

  10. cranky-d says:

    BB is feeling needy again, so he came here to get some more abuse.

  11. Barrett Brown says:

    SDN: I don’t think “scare quotes” means what you think it means. And I haven’t mentioned this blog in any of my books nor am I planning to do so in the future; I wrote a blog post about it once.

    Dicentra: Under the new circumstances, McCain and I have signed a ceasefire.

  12. Jeff G. says:

    I think it could probably be argued that some Republicans have occasionally made use of the “why do our opponents hate the heroes?” formulation. Also, howdy!

    Yeah. But they mean it, for the most part.

    That’s the difference indicated by the all caps. Part of the site grammar.

  13. Darleen says:

    Hi BB

    BTW, next time you do a vid and attempt to dress skater – you don’t team the skull cap with just a couple of shortsleeved tees — shortsleeved tee over longsleeved tee. Shortsleeved tee alone team with brimmed cap.

  14. Jeff G. says:

    Darleen —

    I often wear the skull cap with just a tee. I have arms like steel. People need to take notice.

  15. happyfeet says:

    skull caps make it hard for to whip your hair back and forth

  16. Barrett Brown says:

    No offense, but I’m going to go with Jeff’s opinion over yours on this one, Darlene.

    The reason I wore the cap, as noted in the video, is that there is a certain blog in which certain commenters have written at least several dozen comments about my hair, and probably a lot more. Wanted to get in front of the story on that one, you see.

  17. Darleen says:

    JeffG

    I’d say you are more dressing gangsta OUTLAW. Skaters aren’t known for their biceps – indeed, the short-tee sleeves flap in the breeze.

    ‘course, I’m relating SoCal fashion “rules” … ;-)

  18. Barrett Brown says:

    Q. What’s the hardest part about skateboarding?

    A. Telling your parents you’re gay.

  19. Darleen says:

    BB

    unfortunately I am unaware of a tag I could add that would let you know that writing of #13 was done with a bit of tongue-n-cheek.

  20. Barrett Brown says:

    Not necessary, I know that no one would go that far.

  21. Jeff G. says:

    I think I should take a picture of my arms.

    Just so we’re clear here. Be right back —

  22. Barrett Brown says:

    Make a video about Charles Johnson. That gives you plausible deniability on one’s actual intent to show off one’s good looks.

  23. happyfeet says:

    Merry Christmas Mr. Brown pardon the phrase

  24. I think I should take a picture of my arms.

    maybe sexy rimless glasses too, while you’re at it. IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

  25. serr8d says:

    Barrett Brown, you avatar suggests an asshole that’s venting in every direction at once, every chance it gets. Very appropriate!, given your recent down-turn of unfortunate events.

    What, you couldn’t prepare as avatar some of your ‘profound’ hair? Properly sprayed and coiffed, I’m sure it’d be a big hit.

  26. bh says:

    Wildly OT but I gotta share this. Saw it live and couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a title fight in the fifth and final round and the guy getting kicked lost his belt.

  27. Jeff G. says:

    Nevermind. I need a wider lens.

  28. Barrett Brown says:

    Yeah, I know, dude, I saw your YouTube comment and the other dozen or so comments and blog posts you’ve written about me lately. I get it. Although I’d forgotten that you were one of the ones who were going with the “coiffed” hypothesis.

  29. Crawford says:

    Victims of natural disasters, the poor and unemployed all warrant our attention. We owe it to all of them to use what money we have in the best way we can. In order to do that, legislators must take the time to consider, amend and vote on bills in the committees of jurisdiction.

    Good Lord, how far we’ve fallen since “Not Yours to Give”.

    (I gladly give to charity. But nothing in the Constitution grants the government the right to operate charities.)

  30. Crawford says:

    BB — go eat shit and die, please.

  31. Crawford says:

    Has anyone gotten Trollhammer working again?

    Please?

  32. motionview says:

    This bill exemplifies the entire progressive playbook – start with a problem, create a socialist “solution” that involves wealth transfer from the public as a whole to a dedicated Democrat interest group, and then frame the problem in such a fashion that you only have two choices: be in favor of the socialist solution or be a cold-hearted lackey of the rich who wants to take the food out of poor sick children’s mouths, deny health benefits to heroes, etc.
    You don’t win these battles by denying the problem or fighting within the left’s framework – you need to articulate a positive solution to the original problem. In this case, I’m going with Darleen and the VA.

  33. serr8d says:

    Here’s a heartening image of the USA. All the ‘good’ states, so nice and red.

  34. sdferr says:

    How come Wisconsin is depicted blue in that map serr8d. Doesn’t comport with the make-up of its state government no way no how.

  35. serr8d says:

    Here ya go, Barrett. A custom-coiffed avatar, just for you.

  36. Sigivald says:

    I confess quite openly that I haven’t been following the “9/11 first responder” issue closely.

    But do we have any data as to what needs are actually there?

    Blather about “toxins” in some generic sense, as always, sets of warning bells (though in this case it’s far more reasonable than in the other contexts one sees it, so that reaction is probably of dubious value); do we know, nearly ten years out, what problems are actually being experienced that have any plausible link to being a 9/11 responder?

    If the answer is “no” (within scientifically responsible fuzziness around “know”; I realize complete certainty is nigh impossible), then that suggests either incredible incompetence on the part of the State or that there isn’t really much of a problem.

    (And as much as I hate commenter fights, BB’s first comment sounds accurate. It’s not like Republicans have been above such tactics, and it’s just as stupid when they do it as when Democrats do it.)

  37. cranky-d says:

    I wish the Minnesota iron range people would realize that they aren’t Democrats in their sensibilities. Sigh.

  38. cranky-d says:

    (And as much as I hate commenter fights, BB’s first comment sounds accurate. It’s not like Republicans have been above such tactics, and it’s just as stupid when they do it as when Democrats do it.)

    No one here said both sides don’t do it. That’s why it was in all caps, as Jeff already said above.

    Blog language.

  39. Darleen says:

    But do we have any data as to what needs are actually there?

    One thing I heard yesterday is that the bill was named for James Zadroga, a NYPD first responder, that everyone assumed died because of inhaled dust.

    But what he died from what misuse of prescription drugs that he used because of depression over what he witnessed at 9/11.

    Tragic death, but how that translates into largess for the political ruling class, I don’t know.

  40. BB, my 15 yo son is a skateboarder. And a wrestler. And a MMA student. Watch the dissing of the skaters, because I’m pretty sure he could kick your ass by accident…

  41. Silver Whistle says:

    Here’s a little light refreshment for you:
    “The most common method to wear down the brothers was witchcraft,” Hajj told Al Jazeera. “There were, of course, Jews among the [staff of] the Guantanamo base, and they would set traps for the guys.” Hajj explained, “Witchcraft was used on most of the guys.”
    Hajj was asked to give some examples of how this Jewish sorcery worked. One detainee decided to urinate in his milk because of a Jewish spell, Hajj says. It gets even more bizarre. From the MEMRI translation:

    Hajj: “Once, when I was sleeping – on the floor, not on a bed – I suddenly felt that a cat was trying to penetrate me. It tried to penetrate me again and again. I recited the kursi verse again and again until the cat left.”
    Interviewer: “But there wasn’t really any cat there?”
    Hajj: “Absolutely not.” […]

    I don’t know why, but the cat penetration had me thinking of Willie Yelverton.

  42. USS Ben says:

    “We just allow 911 first responders have access to the VA hospital system. If it’s good enought for our military, it is good enough for those that responded to an act of war.”

    Good idea, but there’s too much oversight at the VA for donks to ever approve of it. Rest assured, that money that NIOSH can’t account for is going somewhere and obviously the donks don’t want us to know where (or they don’t care. Afterall, it’s not like it’s their money).

  43. Spiny Norman says:

    “The most common method to wear down the brothers was witchcraft,” Hajj told Al Jazeera. “There were, of course, Jews among the [staff of] the Guantanamo base, and they would set traps for the guys.” Hajj explained, “Witchcraft was used on most of the guys.”

    THEY TURNED ME INTO A NEWT!
    .
    .

    Sorry, had to be done…

  44. Silver Whistle says:

    Jihadis penetrated by an evil Jew cat must be a very small subset of humans.

  45. Ernst Schreiber says:

    How come Wisconsin is depicted blue in that map serr8d. Doesn’t comport with the make-up of its state government no way no how.

    That’s the ’04 Presidential election map, isn’t it?

    I wish the Minnesota iron range people would realize that they aren’t Democrats in their sensibilities. Sigh.

    Unfortunately dependency on government largesse has a way of coloring one’s sensibility.

  46. I don’t remember the lefties being so upset when NYC began cutting 9/11 responders’ medical treatment. Where was the legislation then?

  47. happyfeet says:

    this isn’t just a 9/11 thing I don’t think it’s a template what can be applied to Katrina and the oil spill this summer and any other lucky misfortune what can serve as an excuse for redistributing monies

  48. dicentra says:

    Just like Barret Brown: turns up here without so much as a by your leave, and when offered a perfectly coiffed avatar, does not adopt it forthwith.

    And calls skateboarders gay.

    Some people shouldn’t be allowed near communication devices EVAR.

  49. McGehee says:

    Something smells like Wolcott in here. Oh, hi BB.

  50. happyfeet says:

    falalalalalalalala

  51. newrouter says:

    i think you’re missing a la

  52. happyfeet says:

    la!

  53. JD says:

    BB is a mendoucheous twatwaffle. That is all.

  54. Abe Froman says:

    WHY DO REPUBLICANS HATE THE HEROES?

    I wonder how many people remember “THE HEROES” practically booing Hillary Clinton off the stage when she spoke to them?

  55. happyfeet says:

    that whole thing was almost a decade ago and we still haven’t rebuilt the tower thingies

    we suck balls

  56. RTO Trainer says:

    Its unconstitutional.

  57. serr8d says:

    Its unconstitutional.

    That’s no longer a deterrent. If you could label it RAAAAACIST! or homophobic, or Christmassy, you might get better traction.

  58. RTO Trainer says:

    That’s going to be a problem, because for me, that’s the end of the logical consideration of the thing.

  59. happyfeet says:

    laughing all the way ho ho ho

  60. newrouter says:

    all i want for christmas is cain/palin 2012

  61. happyfeet says:

    that’s not very festive

  62. Makewi says:

    Cain killed Abel. Way, way before 2012. Like a long time before.

  63. newrouter says:

    Cain killed Abel

    on to “hope and change”

  64. Slartibartfast says:

    serr8d is channeling Kurt Vonnegut, I see.

  65. Barrett Brown says:

    Sorry, I didn’t notice the avatar remodeling and had to head out for a while. I love it; just showed it to some of our participants. You guys are the best.

  66. newrouter says:

    thanks mr. bb

  67. JD says:

    Days that Barrett is not an aggressive douchenozzle are an incredibly small number.

  68. Mike LaRoche says:

    Wolly the Outrage Seal is not amused.

  69. JD says:

    I thought Wolly was an ocelot.

  70. Mike LaRoche says:

    A cross between an ocelot and Jabba the Hutt.

  71. bh says:

    I love Joan Jett. There, I said it.

  72. bh says:

    Silver Whistle, at 41, that is the weirdest shit I’ve read all week. Cheers.

  73. Abe Froman says:

    Seeing Joan Jett perform at a street fair to a lesbian mosh pit sort of changed the way I look at her. She’s all yours, bh.

  74. happyfeet says:

    mr bh mr bh I had a question

  75. bh says:

    All mine?

    Then I shall have her on a rumpled bed of leather jackets out in the alley. The rats and Chinese busboys shall bear witness to our passion.

    Here is a Christmas song for overly empathic abusers of discordant tones and raccoonish eye makeup.

  76. happyfeet says:

    nobody told me about this and this stuff

    is this a good thing or is it nefarious? I’m confuzzled why didn’t this make more noise.

  77. bh says:

    Well, they’re moving compliance from investors to firms. Which is good or bad depending.

    Wasn’t really a loophole anyone was playing with because you’re not looking here for any sort of safe tax avoidance. If someone was playing this, they’re sorta crazy or have a crack staff of lawyers that would cost more anyways.

    Yet, as people aren’t really messing around here, the current regulatory cost was fairly minimal. As it’s moved to corporate, it’ll be more than minimal, another sub department in client accounting.

    So, on the whole, another hoop to jump through for no real payoff. On net? Not worth it. Bad.

  78. happyfeet says:

    I figured it was bad and the way I read it you’ll have your toe in two systems with new stocks and such you buy next year getting treated one way and the old ones you bought this year and before getting treated the old way

  79. happyfeet says:

    I bookmarked that one that’s very nice

  80. happyfeet says:

    I also wonder when it’s in swing whether they can keep the same records for retirement accounts … that information and infrastructure would make it easy for our failshit government to do all sorts of vicious nasty surprisey things down the road

  81. bh says:

    I will tell you a very true thing but first you must wait because I’ll brb.

  82. JD says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU

    From 3:30 on, this one is just really good. He is the anti-horse face, happy.

  83. happyfeet says:

    I am picking up the falafel I will brb too

  84. bh says:

    Okay, here is the very true thing. It involves analysts and lawyers. They don’t like each other because they’re both specialized knowledge workers and they can smell one anothers’ bullshit. So they communicate in a series of executive memos and then maybe quarterly summaries.

    In my circumstance, that means very little. We’re niche players. If there’s a legal issue on the horizon, I know about it. Because I care about a very, very small set of things for a very small set of clients. I get occasional emails and phone calls from legal and, much less often, give them a heads up or two.

    So, this thing you’re bringing up. Think I saw something about this in a quarterly email or something, didn’t apply, so I ignored it. Maybe saw some follow up stuff not that long ago.

    Now, here’s the important part: the exact same thing happened when I worked at a larger firm or two. You only really care about what you care about and the lawyers don’t really know how you make your money anyways. They literally don’t know how the company makes its income. And you, on the other side, don’t know if you’re in compliance based on half the emails you’re looking at and only half reading while traders are threatening to skull fuck you through your locked office door.

    This is different at a few places. Like Goldman. They have some free-floating senior partners who are essentially lobbyists. They’re playing both roles. And they’re smarter than shit. Problem is, you can’t hire those guys unless you’re a serious player and you can afford someone who’s going to pull in maybe $200 million that year. (That’s more than everyone makes at my place. From partners to secretaries. Everyone. Like four times more.)

    So, the very importantest thing is that legislative actions like this can happen and only maybe two dozen people in that area will actually notice unless the WSJ makes a front page story of it.

    This is why we all kick in some money to trade groups and general lobbyists in the hopes that they’ll pay attention to this crap while we’re working on giving our clients something they’re actually willing to pay for.

  85. JD says:

    Bh is a wise man. Barcky is not. A pattern is forming.

  86. happyfeet says:

    I see… that makes it very hard to answer the question “why now is this happening”

  87. sdferr says:

    The skull fucking is for to use the brains as the warm and comforting parts, we take it, after which, being somewhat disarranged, these same brains won’t be of much use at all — traders appear to be slightly short sighted, not to mention, uncouth.

  88. geoffb says:

    bh.

    Merry Christmas*

  89. bh says:

    You’re a damn legend, Geoff.

  90. geoffb says:

    I hope that your work allows you to have time to enjoy yourself this Christmas time.

    Watched the movie last week, it was pretty good and true to the period.

  91. bh says:

    In order:

    JD, yeah. Yet, if I ever learned to sell, you wouldn’t be able to fit my house in your garage anymore. We need to team up at some point.

    ‘feets, yeah, I don’t know. I never really know. Other people will probably tell you why and how but that’s information they probably ought to keep to themselves so they could have a couple extra million to spend this Christmas.

    Sdferr. No idea. From my point of view, my brains are not pussy. I reject all points of view that entertain any opposing notions. ‘Cause of my antipathy to being skull fucked, prety much.

  92. JD says:

    Having one’s skull fucked seems like it would be quite uncomfortable. I shall endeavor to avoid. Unlike Yelverton, who begs for it.

  93. Danger says:

    From Beer Butt-bongs to Bocelli; JD has diverse tastes ;-)

  94. Danger says:

    But back on topic:

    Allah agrees with Shep Smith and thinks Dr Coburn should just get with the program, join the home team and drop those silly concerns about the 911 bill.
    I thing we should send the good Dr a little appreciation letter. At least someone cares about our money!

  95. Carin says:

    One thing I heard yesterday is that the bill was named for James Zadroga, a NYPD first responder, that everyone assumed died because of inhaled dust.

    But what he died from what misuse of prescription drugs that he used because of depression over what he witnessed at 9/11.

    Nice. Kinda like the bit of fiction that’s been done to the Matthew Shepherd story.

  96. RTO Trainer says:

    Opening up the VA…. If that was done as a class–first responders that have responded to declared Federal emergencies (not just 9/11)–that would pass muster.

    I think I’ll be calling my Senators today.

  97. RTO Trainer says:

    Watching the news this AM; a line of heroes standing in front of microphones begging that this be passed.

    ….

    Just–I’d be embarassed and ashamed of myself. How does someone do that? “Please Mr. Gov’t. Gimmie.”

  98. Carin says:

    If the VA isn’t good enough for the “first responders” fuck them. Honestly.

    Give all that $$ to the VA and have them get it up to muster for all our good folks.

    The sticking point … is that isn’t this for anyone who was there? Anyone who was exposed? Shit, you could have been running the other way to save your ass, not helping anyone else. Perhaps you even ran down an old lady on your way out of dodge.

    (am I being too crabby?)

  99. Carin says:

    I mean, they sell us the heros … how many want the money who didn’t do anything but save their own ass.

    Which, fine. But, marketing such as a hero … pushes my buttons.

    VA. Anything more is a travesty.

  100. LTC John says:

    They can have anything the VA would give me. Seriously, can I give my spot to one of these guys, so he lets go of the NISOH boondoggle goes to the VA – take my place, please.

  101. JD says:

    Why do reichwingnazis hate the heroes?!

  102. JD says:

    This kind of faux moral outrage always reminds me of that Che Che clown.

  103. RTO Trainer says:

    Fat lot of good those calls made….

Comments are closed.