Ed Markey: “who opposes this bill? The nurses, the police, the fire, the Public Health Association of the United States. They all…”

“who opposes this bill? The nurses, the police, the fire, the Public Health Association of the United States. They all oppose it. These are the health care heroes in our country. The reason that legislation is so important is that these people are going to be asked to put their lives on the line. They are the first responders. How busy are we that we can give them 20 minutes of debate, each side having 20 minutes to debate their fate? How hard would it be for us to have worked all day Friday to allow amendments to have been made that represents what the teachers, what the nurses, what the doctors, what the police and what the fire want for protections? How hard would it have been for us to have worked all day today if there is an emergency? Do we not as Members of Congress owe to these heroes working on a Friday and a Monday so we can debate what their needs are? Then why is it important? It is important because the adverse reactions from the smallpox vaccine are a real concern. This bill coerces volunteers to be vaccinated within 180 days after the regulations are issued or they lose their rights to lost wages and to disability payments and even to death payments. They lose them. A pregnant nurse has only 180 days to be vaccinated after her baby is born. This is wrong. Vote ``no'' on this bill. Let us have a full debate on the House floor with amendments.”