http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/16/1421863/-Jon-Stewart-lobbies-in-DC-on-behalf-of-9-11-responders-unleashes-on-Congress?detail=email
Jon Stewart made good on his promise to lobby for 9/11 responders. Today he hit the halls of Congress with firefighters, union officials and New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand to lobby on behalf of 9/11 responders who are at risk of losing their health care if Congress doesn't act soon and pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2015.
If Congress does not act and does not reauthorize the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act then injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors who are currently receiving specialized treatment from the World Trade Center Health Program for their 9/11 injuries and illnesses will no longer receive their health care.
That means the over 33,000 responders and survivors who have at least one injury or illness caused by the attacks, and two thirds of those have multiple injuries, including chronic diseases like asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, and gastro esophageal reflux disease and cancers, among others will stop receiving treatment.
Over 80 New York Police Department officers and over 100 Firefighters have reportedly died of their 9/11 injuries since 9/11 and more are expected in the coming years.
Stewart pointed out how outrageous it is that he even has to be there to lobby for it:
"I'm here today basically to apologize," he began. "I want to apologize to all of the men and women, the first responders, that you had to come down here today. I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for our country.
I'm embarrassed for New York. I'm embarrassed that you, after serving so selflessly with such heroism have to come down here and convince people to do what's right for the illnesses and difficulties that you suffered because of your heroism and because of your selflessness."
Stewart also offered a "warning" to the first responders as they prepared to trek the halls of Congress. "Today, on [Capitol] Hill, you will be exposed to possibly toxic levels of bulls**t and arrogance," he joked. "You're strong men and women, but these are conditions you may never have faced before. Buckle your seatbelts and let's get this done."
Who's holding it up? The same people who obstruct everything except tax cuts for the wealthy:
In June, several prominent Republicans offered their support after World Trade Center Health Program Administrator John Howard testified before a House subcommittee. As of Wednesday, 39 House and Senate Republicans had signed on with 147 of their Democratic caucus colleagues to co-sponsor the reauthorization.
But House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio – who was opposed to the Zadroga Act in 2010 and, as of May, remained so – could hold up the bill in the House.
they talk like they care they say they will look out but once you open the door and they sit down it's right wing agenda as usual which is curiously devoid of any of those promises and claims and all we are left with is somebody else's buyer's remorse.
the recent gathering of personality commentary prime example plenty of what they will do but no how they will do it. they operate as though it's them like the Iran deal they completely ignore the other countries who helped make the deal then say they will bring them on board to further sanctions after they tear up the fruit of their efforts on day one,
yeah real incentive to sit down with traitorous lying war mongers who respect nothing but what deception they are working in that moment. stay active Mr. Stewart we need your voice.
