Technology Slice Blog

9/11 Health Bill Failed - Forty-one Republican Senators voted against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would have provided $7.4 billion in health care and compensation to 9/11 responders and their survivors. According to the AP, "The bill failed on a test vote, 57-42. Fifty-seven Democrats voted for the bill and 41 Republicans opposed it. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, switched his vote to 'no' at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up again for a vote." And the GOP refused because they want the Bush tax cuts extension passed first. Now we know: Money for millionaires > 9/11 first responders. Many believed that this lame-duck session was the best chance for the Senate to pass the bill, which was already passed by the House in September. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said, "The idea that tax cuts for millionaires would derail this legislation is simply outrageous and offensive,...