Congress

On The Floor: Ten Great Moments From Congress In 2010 (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | December 27, 2010, 8:33AM

As the year comes to a close, and we look ahead to all the wild and wacky things that are sure to happen in the new Republican-controlled House and only narrowly Democratic-controlled Senate, let's take a look back at the past year. A whole lot of amazing and memorable moments happened not only on the campaign trail, but on the two Congressional floors in the Capitol itself.

We've gathered together 10 unforgettable moments from the House and Senate in 2010. Some of them are great -- while others are just so bad that they're good.

But all of them give some perspective on the people who have been running our government, or who are about to have even more power next year. So sit back, relax, and laugh -- because it's better than crying.

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9/11

House Passes 9/11 First Responders Bill (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2010, 5:36PM

President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

By a vote of 206-60 Wednesday afternoon, the House of Representatives passed legislation to provide health care and compensation to emergency responders who have become ill as the result of their exposure to harmful inhalants after the September 11 terrorists attacks.

The legislation has taken an unwieldy path through Congress, and appeared dead at several different points because of broad GOP opposition.

Along the way, various Republicans opposed the bill's price tag, the way it was paid for and the fact that it provided first responders with prolonged access to a compensation fund that Republicans would like to see closed.

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9/11

Congress Poised To Expedite 9/11 Responders Bill Over GOP Objections

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2010, 10:52AM

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

After months of GOP obstruction, a bill to help 9/11 first responders cover their mounting health care costs is expected to zip through Congress. In addition to being a feather in the cap of New York and New Jersey Democrats -- who have been pushing the bill for months -- it will likely enjoy the distinction of being the last legislative item to pass the unusually productive 111th Congress lame duck session.

Republicans have blocked the bill in both the House and Senate over objections to its cost and financing mechanisms, but with a combination of tweaks and public pressure, Democrats say they've rounded up the 60 votes they'll need to break the filibuster. And with members eager to skip town for the holidays, the House and Senate have lined up to expedite final passage.

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Tom Coburn

Report: Coburn Might Block 9/11 First Responders Bill

Jillian Rayfield | December 21, 2010, 10:13AM

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) reportedly might block the 9/11 First Responders bill, or at least slow it down, according to Politico.

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9/11

Schumer, Gillibrand Predict 9/11 Responders Bill Will Pass (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | December 20, 2010, 10:54AM

Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

New York's two Democratic Senators are predicting that the bill to aid 9/11 first responders will be able to pass the Senate -- after having previously been blocked by Senate Republicans -- in the wake of recent changes such as lowering the price tag from $7.4 billion to $6.2 billion.

Appearing this morning on Good Morning America, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told George Stephanopoulos: "We now have the votes, we've made some modifications that some of our Republican colleagues requested and if no one does undue delay, just stands up and delays and delays and delays, we will get this done."

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Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart Lambastes The Media Over Lack Of 9/11 Responders Bill Coverage (VIDEO)

David Taintor | December 17, 2010, 10:33AM

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart last night continued his impassioned efforts to draw attention to the 9/11 first responders bill that was filibustered by Senate Republicans, criticizing the major television networks for not mentioning the bill in their evening broadcast for months.

"Although, to be fair, it's not every day that Beatles songs come to iTunes," Stewart joked.

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Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart: GOP Invokes 9/11 So Much, They Owe Royalties To First Responders (VIDEO)

David Taintor | December 14, 2010, 10:21AM

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart last night took on Republicans' blocking of all legislation until the Bush-era tax cuts compromise is passed, focusing on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell debate, the DREAM act and the 9/11 responders bill.

"I get the other two, but since when does the Republican party make 9/11 first responders stand over in the corner with the gays and Mexicans?" Stewart said.

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Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart On GOP Blocking 9/11 Responders Bill: Bros Before Heroes?

David Taintor | December 10, 2010, 9:55AM

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart last night was aghast over Senate Republicans blocking the 9/11 responders bill, part of the GOP's vow to block all legislation until the Bush-era tax cuts deal is passed.

"You couldn't even get 60 senators to agree to vote on the 9/11 responders bill, because the top 2 percent of Americans haven't officially received their engraved notifications that their taxes won't go up 4 percent?" Stewart asked. "That's the principled pledge you want to stand by? 'Bros before heroes?' "

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9/11

Democrats Aghast Over GOP Blocking 9/11 Responders Bill

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 9, 2010, 3:26PM

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)

The Senate Republicans did what they said they'd do today -- they blocked a bill aimed at providing over $7 billion in federal money for 9/11 responders and their families because it came before a vote on taxes. But despite the almost scripted outcome, Democratic Senators behind the bill seemed shocked at the outcome.

"We are gravely disappointed," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a key sponsor of the bill, told reporters following the failed cloture vote. "When every Senator on the Republican side signed a letter saying no business can be done until they had a vote a vote on a tax issue, I find [it] to be morally reprehensible."

Sen. Chris Coons, a Democratic Senator from Delaware for all of three weeks, said the bill was the first one he chose to co-sponsor. The fact that the GOP stopped it in its tracks (for now, at least) was a surprise, he said.

"If patriotism means anything, if respect for the victims of 9/11 means anything, it should mean this," he said. "This Senate should be able to come together across this shocking partisan divide and support a bill such as this."

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