Executive Session
Floor Speech
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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I commend my colleague from Massachusetts and so many, including our President, for making this the high priority that it is. We know how vital this is for somebody like myself who is so concerned about Iran going nuclear and the cooperation of the Russians being so essential. The bottom line is, this treaty is essential. It is not just better, it is essential.
But I must rise because of a comment my colleague from Arizona made. First let me preface what I say by my enormous respect for him. We have worked together on many issues. Nobody has done more to serve his country in this Chamber than the Senator from Arizona. I know that. He is a veteran. He is a serviceman. He served his country well. It is something I and every other Member of this Chamber greatly respect.
But unfortunately, I heard him say words before in his desire to get this treaty fully debated, he said: ``After all of the fooling around on New York City,'' referring to the Zadroga bill.
This is not fooling around. These men and the thousands of others who rushed to the towers on 9/11 and in the days thereafter were not fooling around. They, just like my colleague from Arizona, were risking their lives. It was like a time of war. The bottom line is that we were attacked. And without asking any questions, the police and firefighters, the construction workers and EMT workers who rushed to the towers risked their lives in a time of war as well. To call helping them fooling around is saddening and frustrating.
We have had a grand tradition in this country, a grand tradition. When veterans fight for us and risk their lives and get injured, we deal with their medical problems. We help them with their medical problems. Those 9/11 heroes who rushed to the towers are no different. When the Senator from New York, Senator Gillibrand, and myself and so many others are pushing hard for the Zadroga bill, we are not fooling around. We are fulfilling our duty as patriotic Americans to all of those from New York and elsewhere who rushed to the towers. We understand there are many needs on this floor and the hour is late. That is true. We tried to vote on the bill earlier. We did not get the number of votes. We are now working with our colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle to find a new pay-for because they didn't like the one that came over from the House.
One final point, this is not a New York issue. This is an American issue. This is not just about New York City or New York State, where admittedly the largest number of 9/11 responders came from, but from every State of the Union, including, I remind my good friend and patriot and veteran from Arizona, between 100 and 200 from the State of Arizona who rushed to New York bravely, selflessly, to help us. We are not asking for a handout. All we are asking is that their medical problems, the cancers and other illnesses that came about because of the glass and the debris that lodged in their lungs when they rushed to service, be treated, just as we treat our veterans.
So I hope after we finish debate on this START treaty--and I understand it should have a full debate--that we will then take up the Zadroga bill. I hope and pray, not only for those on 9/11 who rushed to the towers but for what America is all about, that we, Democrats and Republicans alike, rise to the occasion and pass the Zadroga bill and allow those who served us and are now suffering from cancers and those who will get cancer because of their bravery, their heroism in the finest American tradition, get the medical help they need and deserve. Nine hundred have already died. Thousands are ill and thousands more will learn of their illnesses. We cannot and must not forsake them.
It is not--I underline--fooling around on New York City.
I yield the floor.
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