House to vote again on bill to aid 9/11 responders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers from New York say the House is expected to reconsider a bill to provide up to $7.4 billion to workers sickened during cleanup of World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 attacks.

U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler said Wednesday that House Democratic leaders have agreed to bring the bill to a vote this month after Congress returns from its summer break.

The bill would provide free health care and compensation to 9/11 rescue and recovery workers who fell ill after working in the trade center ruins.

In July, the bill failed to win the two-thirds majority that was needed under the procedure that Democratic leaders used to bring up the bill. Such a move blocked potential amendments. Maloney and Nadler say that this time, the bill will need a simple majority.