Mitch McConnell: Pass the 9/11 First Responders Bill for NYPD Officer David Mahmoud

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Reggie Cervantes

Reggie Cervantes is a 9/11 rescue worker featured in Michael Moore's "SiCKO."

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November 17th, 2010 9:46 PM

Mitch McConnell: Pass the 9/11 First Responders Bill for NYPD Officer David Mahmoud

David Mahmoud served as one of New York's Finest for 15 years. On 9/11 at the World Trade Center, Officer Mahmoud responded with his NYPD's brothers and sisters from the 75th Precinct. Together with many other responders, Mahmoud now joins a list none of us wants to belong to: the list of lost Members of the Service post-9/11.

Officer Mahmoud is number 985. He lost his life on Veterans Day. Earlier this year, 10-13 fundraisers were held to help raise money for his facial reconstruction after his nose had to be surgically removed. Officer Mahmoud had nasal cancer, one of many results from exposure.

The list will surpass 1,000 lost post-9/11 before the 10th anniversary. Politics have engulfed the votes required for the House of Representatives to pass HR847, better known as the Zadroga Bill, which funds health care for 9/11 rescue workers. And now it may drag the corresponding Senate Bill S1334 to a stand still. Perhaps Officer Mahmoud can be an instrument to move those no votes to YES. They should have met Officer Mahmoud, but since they did not take the time we should send them photos. Not just of Officer Mahmoud but of other terminally ill responders on death row awaiting a stay from our Senators when they return.

Our hope as survivors and sick responders, most of us terminally ill, is that the Senate exhibits some compassion for us on the day of the vote and help end our suffering by passing the bill. We have begged, prayed, lobbied and continued to die at fast rates. However, they have not been moved yet. Let's hope they will be.

GOP Senate Mitch McConnell has opposed the bill privately despite having supported legislation to help sick nuclear workers from his home state of Kentucky. As Minority Leader leader in the Senate, McConnell sets the pace for many of his colleagues. The bill needs 2 Republican Senators to pass. McConnell is not just one vote. His vote can translate into 10-15 votes and creating a smooth passing of the bill. Or his can be the dooming vote that denies us life saving care.

McConnell needs to have dinner or coffee with Teresa Quibell, Tracy Zane and the latest family to loose a loved one, the family of NYPD Officer Dave Mahmoud. Let's be honest, responders from Kentucky came to help as well. Why can't he stand for them at the very least? After all, they are his constituents. Why make this a partisan issue when it's a human issue? Whether from Kentucky or California, we are all in this together. It was our country that was attacked and our country who responded.

Vote YES, Senator McConnell. We are all paying attention.

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