Tom Ridge: Congress Has 'Failed' 9/11 First Responders In Wireless Communications Battle

AOL Government:

The nation's first Secretary of Homeland Security said Congress has "failed" America's first responders by not acting on legislation that would dedicate wireless communications spectrum to a nationwide, interoperable, public safety network and said it is unlikely anything will pass before the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Read the whole story: AOL Government

Comments

[MJJBunny]

12:14 PM on 08/20/2011

This should hang as a shameful reminder of the interests of Republicans. The First Responders were HEROS for our country. They came from all over to do whatever was needed. You cannot put a dollar price on their service. Here we are again with no money available to make their jobs easier. Disgraceful.

[Mr-Mikey]

01:06 AM on 08/20/2011

This doesn't surprise me at all, Firefighters and policemen are no longer patroitic symbols for the republican party. That boat has set sail.

These people don't fit into the ideas of Patroitic Americans, but rather now they are greedy Public union workers who devour Tax dollars.

I wonder what comedian will have to shame the GOP into doing the right thing?

[Jeff Bunting]

10:13 PM on 08/19/2011

Republican's response: "Its all Obama's fault!"

[blue53]

02:11 PM on 08/19/2011

Tommy--have you talked to your friends on the right side of the aisle? If it cost money--that where the bill starts--and the last time I checked they were in charge, had a majority and could pass it. I'm sure the R Senators would not filibuster it--right.

[Grannysue]

12:54 PM on 08/19/2011

Just another example of those flag wavin, pin wearin, compassionate people who could care less about the Vets or First responders.

[Gestas]

12:50 PM on 08/19/2011

Compassionate Capitalism working at it best....

[johuyik]

11:51 AM on 08/19/2011

This may be the greatest shame of the GOP. The DEMs should have jumped on this earlier, but at least they're on board now.

Do we really want our first-responders stopping on their way to an emergency to check their healthcare plans??

Please, PLEASE..contact your Senators and Representatives to let them know this is important to you, that something needs to be done to help the people who risked EVERYTHING FOR US!

[SamBaby]

11:41 AM on 08/19/2011

The first responders to 9/11 and site clean up workers of the disaster site should be given a Medical Card that allows them to get any and all medical care they need for the rest of their lives at the expense of the U S government. Period.

[fineartgalaxy]

11:38 AM on 08/19/2011

9/11 First Responders are not the only ones that have been let down, stepped on, legislated against and manipulated by this Congress. Did we really think that this class on itself of honorable and corageous heroes would be untouchable by the malfiance and corruption of Washington? If we did, we are still in denial.

[getoffmedz]

11:36 AM on 08/19/2011

Tom Ridge is very correct by characterizing not providing funding for an interoperable wireless emergency communications network as a FAILURE BY CONGRESS. Congress has also failed in a much broader sense for interchanging the recent SCOTUS interpretation of corporations as "PEOPLE" with the long-standing Constitutional meaning of We The People.

This completely un Constitutional ruling by the high court is a total perversion of true meaning and completely un American which has quickly been embraced by the absolute worst Congress in history.

[FactsvsFear]

11:35 AM on 08/19/2011

Thanks Republicans! Let's all not forget it just another thing they somehow go away with doing. It was Republicans that blocked it. It's true.