House passes bill to aid sick 9/11 responders

After rejecting it in July, the House passed a bill to provide up to $7.4 billion to workers sickened during cleanup of World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 attacks.

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.

The 268-160 vote on Wednesday came after passionate floor debate. Democratic supporters said they were standing up for sick Sept. 11 heroes. Republican critics branded the bill as yet another big-government entitlement program that would boost taxes and kill jobs.