New vote promised on 9/11 healthcare bill

The Democratic leadership has agreed to hold a new vote on a bill guaranteeing healthcare for first responders to the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, the bill's sponsors said Wednesday. 

"We have talked to the Democratic leadership and they have told us that the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will be brought to the House floor soon after Congress returns from recess," New York Democratic Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler said in a joint statement. "We anticipate that the bill will be taken up the second week we are back in session and will be considered under regular order, with the expectation and belief that neither side will play politics with this vitally important legislation."

The House took up the bill in July under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. The bill fell short with 255 votes, significantly more than the 218 simple majority under regular order.

The bill would provide medical monitoring, treatment and economic compensation for those who were injured or sickened by the attack and its subsequent toxic cloud. It would cost about $5 billion.

The lawmakers made the announcement in New York at a press conference attended by labor leaders and other New York House members including Republican co-sponsor Pete King and Democrats Charles Rangel, Anthony Weiner and Joseph Crowley.