Firefighters Slam Ted Cruz For Claiming To Be Their Champion While Opposing 9/11 Health Bill

The Huffington Post ^ | 2/3/16 | Amanda Terkel

[Gandalf the Mauve]

A powerful firefighters union went after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Wednesday for claiming to be their defender and champion in his Iowa caucuses victory speech.

"What Ted Cruz did the other night in his Iowa victory speech is disgusting," said Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "He said he embraces fire fighters and the dangerous work they do, says he's our friend and calls himself a great patriot. But when it came time to actually have the backs of fire fighters across the U.S., he was AWOL. Cruz is the worst kind of politician who will say or do anything to get elected."

That anger stems from Cruz invoking the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the work of the first responders in his remarks Monday night, when he said he would be different from President Barack Obama....

But what irks Schaitberger is that Cruz opposed reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides health care for those same firefighters and first responders....

[Trumpinator]

If you read the thread here many are pointing out how full of pork it is.

Stupid hill to die on.

[jpsb]

The lies Cruz tells are starting to pile up.

[Trumpinator]

Except that Cruz didn’t die on that hill. So, I guess being true to his principles in this case didn’t even hurt him.

Looks like a walking corpse to me.

[Kartographer]

So he should have voted yes to Pork and you would be fine with that?

No wonder the government spending is out of control with thinking like that. Cruz led a filibusterer over spending. This stand is not the first, but one of many, but that doesn’t matter to you does it? To you it isn’t a matter that he did the right thing its a matter that its Ted Cruz and you hate him and your hate is even greater than stopping a Government boondoggle.

[Trumpinator]

So he should have voted yes to Pork and you would be fine with that?

That is your assessment it is pork filled.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

So I’m supposed to be on the side of the union here. This is news to me. This is the firefights version of school bonds: It’s for the children/first responders, so you can’t oppose it no matter how wasteful it is.

[Kartographer]

As I pointed out it isn’t just mine opinion. But that doesn’t matter you must justify your hate. So in your opinion how much longer should the government support this temporary 5 year program that has now already run far beyond that original 5 years? 10 more? 15 more? 50 more?

[McGruff]

“That anger stems from Cruz invoking the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the work of the first responders in his remarks Monday night”

Cruz and his NY values comment probably didn’t go over well with them.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

So he should have voted yes to Pork and you would be fine with that?
That is your assessment it is pork filled.

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Just where in the Constitution is Congress authorized to spend money on this kind of stuff?

That's a pretty good start for determining pork in my book.

[drjimmy]

Workers’ compensation and insurance have to be used before someone qualifies for funds from the Zagroda Act. Also, many first responders from outside of NYC (some from far outside of the tri-state area) came to the city in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to work on the rescue and recovery effort. They don’t necessarily have the same benefits as the NYC first responders, but are eligible for federal assistance under the Zagroda Act.

[Trumpinator]

I don’t hate - and I pointed out a political observation - that Cruz chose a bill linked to 9/11 first responders to make some minutia point about pork. It was stupid/tone deaf and Cruz offered no alternative to resolve this as far as I can tell.

[Trumpinator]

Just where in the Constitution is Congress authorized to spend money on this kind of stuff?

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Congress has the power to tax/raise money. What constitution are you reading?

[drjimmy]

Fires have been cut in half the last 20years due to construction materials...yet the number of fire fighter have doubled

The chart you cite is for paid firefighters. What you have left out is that the number of volunteer firefighters has declined during that same time period. Volunteers by far make up the majority of total firefighters in the U.S., and some places have had to begin (or beef up) career firefighter numbers in order to replace the drop in volunteers.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Mine has very specific limitation on where they can spend that money.

[Kartographer]

So I ask again in your considered opinion how much longer should the government support this temporary 5 year program that has now already run far beyond that original 5 years? 10 more? 15 more? 50 more? I would be most interested in knowing.

[Trumpinator]

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;

Supporting uniformed first responders from an attack and providing for their welfare is in the constitution.

[Trumpinator]

So I ask again in your considered opinion how much longer should the government support this temporary 5 year program that has now already run far beyond that original 5 years? 10 more? 15 more? 50 more? I would be most interested in knowing.

It is a permanent law now. Passed.

[Kartographer]

Well isn’t that wonderful more of our Great Great grandchildren’s money spent. I imagine you are so proud that even Cruz couldn’t stop it.

[Trumpinator]

Well isn’t that wonderful more of our Great Great grandchildren’s money spent. I imagine you are so proud that even Cruz couldn’t stop it.

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I am OK with my money going to 9/11 heroes. This is a stupid hill to die on. What next, Cruz heads? The GI Bill is too socialist?

[Kartographer]

LOL you actually believe that is where the bulk of the money is going? Now I know why you support Trump.