WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- House Republicans had some choice words for a bill to compensate people made ill by the dust and debris from the 2001 collapse of the World Trade Center.

The Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was voted down by Congress Thursday after GOP House members blasted the $8.4 billion proposal as a "slush fund" that would enrich scammers and provide a gravy train for New York hospitals for the next decade.

The New York Daily News said Friday the 255-159 vote against the bill could mean it will never be passed despite Democrats' vow to try again later this year.

"This legislation as written creates a huge $8.4 billion slush fund paid by taxpayers that is open to abuse, fraud and waste," declared Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., said he didn't like provisions that would reimburse hospitals for care at a rate higher than Medicare.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said he might favor a scaled-down version of the program as long as it did not lead to a tax increase for Americans outside the Big Apple.

The Daily News said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., was one of 12 Republicans to back the bill in Thursday's procedural vote. He suggested the Democrats actually wanted the measure to fail so they could use it to make the Republicans look bad.

"This bill should be more important than a campaign talking point," he said.