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December 20, 2010
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- Senate Republicans<http://dyn.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/index.cfm/category/Senate_Republicans>
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- Votes<http://dyn.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/index.cfm/category/Votes>

Coburn may block 9/11
bill<http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1210/Coburn_may_block_911_bill.html?showall#>

New York Democrats hoping for quick action on a bill to give health care
compensation to Ground Zero workers are about to run into Tom Coburn.

The Oklahoma Republican and physician -- known in the Senate as "Dr. No" for
his penchant in blocking bills -- told POLITICO Monday night he wouldn't
allow the bill to move quickly, saying he has problems with parts of the
bill and the process Democrats are employing.

Other Republicans like Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) said he had concerns with the
measure and said it should instead move through the committee process.

"I'm not trying to fight it, I'm trying to get it right," Enzi said. "There
are 30 things that ought to be changed real quick in committee but very
difficult on the floor. To finish a bill at this point of time, we're not
going to be able to amend it."

The bill - offered by New York Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer -
would give compensation to first responders who fell ill from the toxic dust
from the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The Democrats hope to pass the revised bill this week, which they say has
been thoroughly reviewed and which they say has the votes to pass.

But with the window closing on the 111th Congress, opponents can throw any
number of procedural hurdles to stall debate in the Senate - and potentially
kill the bill over any of their objections.
--
Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.co