The first responders, meaning someone certified to help in the case of a medical emergency such as policemen and firefighters, of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, have been riddled with lung disease and other health problems since the 9/11 attacks. Many claim that these health problems were due to the debris and unhealthy conditions of Ground Zero. Democrats from New York helped author a bill providing 6.5 billion dollars to first responders to cover health fees, and on December 22, 2010 this bill was passed in the Senate.
Sophomore Catherine Wertz, allying with the Democrats from New York, argued that “[the government] should pay back some of [the first responders’] health care [fees].” The bill is named the James Zadroga Bill after late NYPD Detective James Zadroga who, for three weeks, helped clear up Ground Zero. Shortly after, he began to have breathing problems and, in 2006, passed away (www.redorbit.com). Zadroga was just one among many first responders who began to experience sudden medical disaster after they helped our nation at Ground Zero.
Some argue that the federal government should not just award money to volunteers as a political move. However, the James Zadroga Bill is much more than just hard, dirty politics. Junior Suraj Sundar said that “[the first responders] did a civil duty, but that civil duty was beyond a person’s average range of duty”. The first responders went beyond their duties to help out, and many argue that, for that noble reason, they deserve to have health costs paid.
Many Republicans, such as vocal opponent Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, staunchly and vehemently oppose this bill because they cite it as an easily abusable misuse of taxpayer money. However, former Florida Republican U.S. Representative Joe Scarborough, a proponent of the bill, said that “It’s a terrible, terrible mistake to be seen as opposing relief for 9/11 heroes” (www.nytimes.com). Not only does it reflect poorly upon the Republicans, but it also blocks funding for those who need it soon.
The 2nd last week of December was a very productive week. After the Senate passed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and they passed the new START treaty with Russia, this bill shows the quick rate at which Congress is passing bills, which is finally creating progress for 2010, even in the year’s last two weeks. But progress is progress, and the 9/11 James Zadroga Bill certainly moves our nation in a forward direction.