Obama comes out in favor of 9/11 health bill: Pres. to sign Zadroga bill into law

The New York Daily ^ | 8-18-10 | Richard Sisk and Samuel Goldsmith

[Justaham]

In a breakthrough for 9/11 first responders, President Obama ended his silence on the Zadroga Bill on Wednesday and backed the uphill drive to get it through Congress.

"The President looks forward to signing the 9/11 health bill into law, once it passes both houses of Congress, to help the first responders whose health and livelihood were devastated by the events of Sept. 11," a White House statement said.

Elated first responders and their families said it was the first show of support from Obama since the presidential campaign and boosted chances for bringing the bill to another vote in the House next month. A previous effort failed last month.

Obama's statement came a day after he was slammed in a letter by John Feal, head of a first responder advocacy group, as reported in the Daily News.

"Why have you failed us? We thought you were our champion," wrote Feal, who took Obama to task for speaking up on the Ground Zero mosque, but staying silent on the Zadroga bill.

"It was the Daily News that got this done," Feal said Wednesday night. "We're very encouraged. I think it's great that [Obama] says he'll help, but will he actively push both houses [of Congress] to pass our bill? We'll see."

[popdonnelly]

How magnanimous of the President to throw the 9/11 victims a bone.

[Theo]

Huh? Do you advocate FReepers using such visual affectations in their comments? Or should FReepers distinguish themselves by the words they use?

[HiTech RedNeck]

I say typographical criticisms are lame criticisms.

[Theo]

Now *that* is just fun. :-)

[Tzimisce]

...and from what I understand, there is an amnesty provision attached to this crap....