The bill was introduced in 2005. Republicans blocked it because they thought it was too expensive and then because they refused to pass any bills until the Bush tax cuts were approved, so they fillibustered it. Eventually in 2011 they caved under public pressure brought on in part by Stewart and Feal. It expired in 2015 so Stewart and Feal when back to fight for it again and get it re-upped, with additional funding to cover the future of all of those who were victims, and they succeeded.
HashtagDadWatts on August 23rd, 2020 at 15:37 UTC »
In case anyone wants to watch Jon Stewart completely embarrass a congressional committee over this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uYpDC3SRpM
Ruiiiner on August 23rd, 2020 at 16:48 UTC »
...And now for your moment of Zen
extendedrockymontage on August 23rd, 2020 at 20:06 UTC »
You can skip 99% of the comments here which are making stuff up and just read the history of the bill here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Zadroga_9/11_Health_and_Compensation_Act
The bill was introduced in 2005. Republicans blocked it because they thought it was too expensive and then because they refused to pass any bills until the Bush tax cuts were approved, so they fillibustered it. Eventually in 2011 they caved under public pressure brought on in part by Stewart and Feal. It expired in 2015 so Stewart and Feal when back to fight for it again and get it re-upped, with additional funding to cover the future of all of those who were victims, and they succeeded.