Democracy Now: House Rejects Bill to Help Sick Ground Zero Workers
The House has failed to pass a $7.4 billion bill to provide free healthcare and compensation payments to rescue and cleanup workers who were exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks. The bill failed in part because the Democratic leadership chose to consider the bill under a procedure that requires a two-thirds vote for approval rather than a simple majority. Such a move blocked potential Republican amendments to the measure.