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For years lawmakers have been praising and in some cases profiting from the heroes of 9/11. We're talking about the first responders who risked their lives and in too many cases paid with their lives and their health. So why now are lawmakers so slow to respond to their needs? We're keeping them honest. Plus, tonight's other headlines.
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[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/WORLD/americas/12/17/haiti.american.jailed/story.waggoner2.mmrc.jpg caption="'A Haitian judge has decided that there's sufficient evidence to hold Paul Waggoner, a U.S. Embassy spokesman said." width=300 height=169]
CNN Wire Staff
(CNN) - The U.S. is keeping close watch on the case of an American relief worker jailed in Haiti under suspicion of kidnapping a 15-month-old boy, the State Department said Friday, but it remains unclear whether the U.S. is working for Paul Waggoner's release.
"We have monitored his court appearances and continue to track the case closely," said P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the State Department.
A Haitian judge concluded after a hearing Wednesday that sufficient evidence exists to hold Waggoner while investigators evaluate a man's complaint that the American kidnapped his critically ill son from a hospital, according to Jon Piechowski, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Haiti.
Waggoner is the co-founder of Materials Management Relief Corps, a humanitarian organization that seeks to provide logistical support to medical workers in Haiti, where a major earthquake caused extensive damage in January.
Waggoner was working at the Haitian Community Hospital in Petionville in February when a Haitian man sought treatment for his 15-month-old son.
Accounts differ as to what happened next, but the father believes the child survived and that Waggoner kidnapped him, Piechowski said.
Waggoner's supporters, including two physicians, have said the child died, and his body was cremated because the father would not claim the remains.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/POLITICS/12/17/tax.deal/c1main.obama.sign.pool.jpg caption="'This is progress' and 'good news,' the president said." width=300 height=169]
CNN Wire Staff
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed an $858 billion tax bill into law Friday, saying, "this is progress, and that's what (the American people) sent us here to achieve."
"We are here with good news for the American people this holiday season," he said. "By a wide margin, both houses of Congress passed a package of tax relief that will protect the middle class, that will grow our economy and will create jobs for the American people."
Obama was flanked on stage by both Democrats and Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was instrumental in getting the bipartisan legislation passed. Incoming House Speaker John Boehner, however, did not attend the signing.
"Candidly speaking, there are some elements in this legislation that I don't like. There are some elements that members of my party don't like. There are some elements that Republicans here today don't like. That's the nature of compromise."
With Obama's signature, states can begin to reinstate unemployment benefits, so that people "will get them in time for Christmas," he said.
"Not only will middle class Americans avoid a tax increase, but tens of millions of Americans will start the New Year off right by opening their first paycheck to see that it's actually larger than the one they get right now.
"This is real money that's going to make a real difference in peoples' lives. I would not have signed this bill if it didn't include other extensions of relief that were set to expire."
The House of Representatives gave final approval late Thursday night to the deal, negotiated by the White House and top Senate Republicans. The final vote of 277-148 had almost equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans in support.
Ready for today's Beat 360°? Everyday we post a picture you provide the caption and our staff will join in too. Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite! Here is the 'Beat 360°' pic:
CNN senior executive producer Wendy Walker presents Larry King his microphone during King's final broadcast party Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 in Beverly Hills, CA. (Photo credit: John Nowak/CNN)
Have fun with it. We're looking forward to your captions! Make sure to include your name, city, state (or country) so we can post your comment.
Update: Beat 360° Winners:
Staff
Kirk McDonald
"I swear to God, if she mentions that book one more time…"
Viewer
Jeff, Washington, PA
"25 years and all they give me is a lousy microphone."
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CNN Wire Staff
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama plans to sign an $858 billion tax deal into law on Friday afternoon.
The House of Representatives gave final approval late Thursday night to the deal, negotiated by the White House and top Senate Republicans. The final vote of 277-148 had almost equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans in support.
The package includes a two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire December 31. It also would extend unemployment benefits for 13 months, cut the payroll tax by 2 percentage points for a year, restore the estate tax at a lower level and continue a series of other tax breaks.
The bill, which cleared the Senate 81-19 on Wednesday, passed despite objections from both the left and the right. However, the pending expiration of the lower tax rates dating back to 2001 created a deadline that forced both sides to accept provisions they had long opposed.
CNN Wire Staff
Washington (CNN) - Senate Democrats failed Thursday to win a procedural vote to open debate on a bill that would provide medical benefits and compensation for emergency workers who were first on the scene of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The motion for cloture, or to begin debate, needed 60 votes to pass due to a Republican filibuster, but fell short at 57-42 in favor.
While supporters said they would try to bring the bill up again, either on its own or as part of other legislation to be considered, the vote Thursday jeopardized the measure's chances for approval in the final weeks of the current congressional session.
The House previously passed the bill on a mostly partisan 268-160 vote.