Paul Ryan's 2nd. "NO" Vote:
On September 29, 2010 (18 days after anniversary of 9/11) Paul Ryan voted against the 9/11 First Responders Bill again.
Number: House Vote #550 [primary source: house.gov]
Date: Sep 29, 2010 (111th Congress)
Related Bill: H.R. 847 (111th): James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY14] on February 4, 2009
This was a vote to approve or reject a bill or resolution.
Paul Ryan voted NEY
Source: GovTrack
Ah, but despite the House Republicans sudden loathing of 9/11 First Responders HR 847 passed the House where it would be met with Filibusters from the 9/11 First Responder-Hating Senate Republicans.
Paul Ryan's 3rd. Vote "AGAINST" via "Did Not Vote"
You see, Paul Ryan did not make time to vote for the 9/11 First Responders Bill, in fact, the last vote Paul Ryan took in 2010 was the day before, December 21, 2010. He just did not have time for the 9/11 First Responders - maybe he had Christmas shopping to do?
Number: House Vote #664 [primary source: house.gov]
Date: Dec 22, 2010 (111th Congress)
Result : Passed
Related Bill: H.R. 847 (111th): James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY14] on February 4, 2009
This was a vote to approve or reject a bill or resolution.
Paul Ryan did not vote
Source: GovTrack
Neat huh? So, let's see what Paul Ryan said about 9/11 victims on September 11, 2010 - 18 days before he rejected the 9/11 First Responders -- oh wait! Paul Ryan did not issue a statement on the anniversary of 9/11 in 2010 (see
here)
Hmmm ... Paul Ryan voted against 9/11 First Responders and does not even have time to make a public statement on the 9/11 anniversary in 2010 ... hmmm.
I always thought the emergency teams who responded to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were considered American heroes. The nation's support for these men and women has been unequivocal and unending ... except ... for Republicans whose support has a finite limit.
Here's how House and Senate Republicans demonized the 9/11 First Responders in 2010:
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, called it a "new entitlement program that we simply cannot afford."
Texas Republican Lamar Smith complained the measure "creates a huge slush fund open to abuse, fraud and waste."
Slush fund, entitlement, job killer ... and other other adjective used to demonize the 9/11 First Responders and victims of 9/11.
Senator Coburn went all out and wrote (pdf)
The federal government does not, have an obligation to provide for overly-generous, questionably-related, and fiscally-irresponsible benefits with a price-tag of $10.4 Billion.
This legislation:
- Creates an expansive new health care entitlement program, despite multiple existing federally-supported health care programs for 9/11 first responders and victims; and
- Re-opens the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF), despite the fund’s original intent to be temporary in nature and a recent $815 million settlement that addressed gaps in compensation funding.
Isn't that odd? Senator Corburn says $10 Billion is just too much money for the 9/11 First Responders Healthcare -- isn't that very Unpatriotic and UnAmerican of those Republicans.
I am reminded that the GOP fail to understand that Taxes pay for wars. I also am reminded that the GOP Cut Taxes twice, 2001 and 2003, and thus had to borrow Trillions (with a T) from China to pay for two wars.
I am reminded that Romney/Ryan's Foreign Policy Advisers spent $$TRILLIONS searching for their imaginary WMD when they worked for Bush Cheney.
I am reminded that Paul Ryan voted "yes" on Bush Cheney Tax Cuts - of which - in September 2003, Dick Cheney told Tim Russert that the "Bush Tax Cuts are 25% of the Deficit (Video here)
... maybe the 9/11 First Responders should have changed their pseudonym to Halliburton or KBR or some other private military complex corporation.
My point in writing this Diary, it will be interesting to read whatever BS Paul Ryan presents tomorrow knowing, in advance, that Paul Ryan did not have time to vote for the 9/11 First Responders and when Paul Ryan did make the time, Ryan voted against the 9/11 First Responders.
UPDATE: The poster, JR was kind enough to find Paul Ryan's Floor speech on why he would have voted "NO" on 9/11 First Responders Health Bill on December 22, 2010
Paul Ryan's Floor statement "A deeply Flawed Bill"
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin.
Madam Speaker, I was absent for legislative business and missed rollcall vote 663 on December 21, 2010, and rollcall vote 664 on December 22, 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 6547, the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, and ``no'' on rollcall vote 664 (H.R. 847).
The vote I wish to discuss is the bill H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Without a doubt, Republicans and Democrats can agree that both the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and the first responders who bravely served following the attacks deserve to be fairly treated and compensated. However, this bill would create a new health care entitlement, the World Trade Center Health Program, while also extending eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. As a result, had I been present, I would have voted against passage of the bill.
Since the terrorist attacks occurred nearly nine years ago, I have supported legislation to ensure that these individuals are cared for and receive access to the services they deserve. However, rather than working with Republicans to craft a bill which truly addressed the shortcomings in care provided to those directly impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Majority instead rushed this bill to the floor in the waning hours of the 111th Congress, refusing to allow an open debate or consider amendments.
The result is a deeply flawed bill. H.R. 847 creates yet another mandatory spending program--increasing spending by $4.2 billion dollars over 10 years--and paying for it by an Excise Tax on Foreign Manufacturers, an extension of Travel Promotion Act fees, and the extension of HI-B visa fees.
There is no doubt that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who came to the rescue of countless individuals following the attacks on September 11, 2001, but these provisions distort that noble goal. At a time when our budget deficit is $1.3 trillion and our national debt stands at $13.8 trillion, we must accurately account for those programs that take priority. I remain hopeful that as the 112th Congress convenes, my colleagues and I can work together to reform some of my concerns with this proposal and truly provide the services these first responders deserve.
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