GOP Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday blocked a measure providing compensation to 9/11 workers, saying the price tag was too high.
"It has long been my feeling that we need to address our massive debt in the country," he said on the Senate floor after Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., proposed that the bill, titled Never Forget the Heroes Act, be approved by unanimous consent.
"And therefore any new spending … should be offset by cutting spending that's less valuable. We need to at the very least have this debate."
Paul said he would offer an amendment on the cost of the bill when it reaches the Senate floor.
Gillibrand and many other Democrats were angered by the move.
“I am deeply disappointed that my colleague has just objected,” Gillibrand said. “Enough of the political games. Our 9/11 first responders and our entire nation are watching to see if this body actually cares. Do we care about the men and women who answer the call of duty?”
“Thousands of those men and women have died,” she said. Others still have to “face the terrifying reality that they are going to die, because of what they did on 9/11 and the months thereafter.”
The House overwhelmingly passed the legislation last week, 402-12.