Ground Zero Workers Visit Coburn’s Office To Beg Him To Lift Hold On 9/11 First Responders Bill #p2 #tcot @gop @gopleader

Though GOP obstructionism in the lame duck session has failed to stop many important bills, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the likely the ratification of the START treaty, one piece of legislation Senate Republicans have successfully hindered thus far is a bill to provide health benefits to 9/11 first responders. Though few GOPers have been willing to publicly discuss their opposition — indeed, not a single Republican came to the Senate floor to defend their position — Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) explained to Fox News that Republicans don't want to "hurry" and wondered aloud "why would they need $6 billion?"

The most ardent opponent of the bill giving health benefits for 9/11 first responders, however, is Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). The man known as "Dr. No" is personally blocking the bill from being considered, a move so extreme it even drew the ire of Fox News.

With Congress wrapping up its legislative session soon, approximately 50 first responders traveled to the nation's capital from New York yesterday in an attempt to sit down with the obstructionist senators and persuade Coburn and other Republicans to allow a vote on the bill.

ThinkProgress met with the group as it visited Coburn's office. The first responders calmly explained to Coburn's staff why they were there and requested a meeting. Instead, a meeting was denied and the staff demanded the first responders leave the office. After being made to wait outside the senator's office for 20 minutes, the first responders finally left, singing "God Bless America" as they exited the Russell Senate office building. Watch it:

rest at http://thinkprogress.org/2010/12/22/coburn-911-responders/