Giuliani silent on GOP’s blocking of 9/11 responders bill

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has staked much of his political identity on his role in responding to the terror attacks on 9/11 (so much so that comedian Jon Stewart accused him of being a "9/11 fetishist" back in 2008). So you'd think that if anyone would have something to say about Republican senators blocking a vote on a bill to pay for the health care of sick and dying 9/11 responders, it'd be Giuliani. But he's been conspicuously silent, leading some to question why he's refrained from comment on the issue.

The Ticket emailed and placed numerous calls to Giuliani's office, but has yet to hear a response. The Senate's obstruction of a vote on the 9/11 responders bill devastated other prominent New York-area politicians. A New York Times photographer even captured the image of Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in tears inside the Senate, being consoled by the state's other Senate Democrat, Charles Schumer.

"We are gravely disappointed," Gillibrand, a sponsor of the bill, told reporters. "I find [it] to be morally reprehensible." Schumer labeled it simply "a sad day for America."

We'll provide an update if we hear back from Giuliani's office.

UPDATE: Mayor Giuliani got back to us and issued a call for "bipartisan cooperation" on the bill.

(Photo: AP/Robert F. Bukaty)