GOP points to cost, helps kill bill to aid victims
By LAURIE KELLMAN – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under a Democratic dare, Senate Republicans on Monday helped killed a bill that would aid victims of torture, disability and disease, insisting the legislation would add to the deficit and demanding that Congress first act to lower soaring gas prices.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rolled about three dozen bills into a hard-to-resist measure, dubbed the measure the "Advancing America's Priorities Act', and warned that its defeat would mean society's neediest would have wait until next year for the government's help.

"In the meantime there will be much suffering and mental distress as a result of not moving forward on these matters," the Nevada Democrat told his Republican colleagues. He predicted election-year consequences.

"Next time you see someone in a wheelchair at home, explain to them about how you voted against moving forward on something that may get them out of that wheelchair," he said.

It didn't work.

Republicans, led by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, helped sink the bill. The 52-40 vote fell short of the required support from 60 senators to move the bill toward a final, up-or-down vote.

A vote for the bill was a vote for the Senate to move away from the debate in progress over ways to help relieve the burden of soaring gas prices, Republicans said.

"They're using every trick to get us away from dealing with high gas prices," said Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "Republicans won't let them change the subject. Republicans will vote to keep the Senate focused on the number one domestic issue facing our nation."


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