NEW YORK—Following Congress’s successful passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Compensation Act on Wednesday, New York politicians and 9/11 victim advocates celebrated their victory on Thursday in front of the construction site for the new Freedom Tower, where the World Trade Center towers once stood. The passage came in the last week of Congress before its holiday recess.
Bill cosponsor Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) called the success the result of “a grass-roots movement.”
“This was the American people demanding change, demanding response, and demanding that we stand by our heroes and the families who were victims of the terrorist attack. It was their dedication and their conviction that truly brought us over the finish line,” said Gillibrand.
The bill won unanimous support in the Senate, while the House voted 206 to 60 in favor of passing the bill. The legislation will primarily provide assistance to individuals who have suffered health problems from exposure to the toxic dust that dispersed in the air on 9/11.
New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano stated that the bill would provide much needed additional funding to support FDNY’s medical monitoring program for firefighters affected by the 9/11 attacks. Established in October 2001, there are currently over 15,500 firefighters in the program in need of medical assistance.
“We’re very pleased that our firefighters will continue to get the treatment and the care they deserve for doing their job on September 11,” Cassano said.
Cassano also hopes the legislation will be a “living bill” that can later include illnesses that are currently not listed.
Bill cosponsor Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) called the success the result of “a grass-roots movement.”
“This was the American people demanding change, demanding response, and demanding that we stand by our heroes and the families who were victims of the terrorist attack. It was their dedication and their conviction that truly brought us over the finish line,” said Gillibrand.
The bill won unanimous support in the Senate, while the House voted 206 to 60 in favor of passing the bill. The legislation will primarily provide assistance to individuals who have suffered health problems from exposure to the toxic dust that dispersed in the air on 9/11.
New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano stated that the bill would provide much needed additional funding to support FDNY’s medical monitoring program for firefighters affected by the 9/11 attacks. Established in October 2001, there are currently over 15,500 firefighters in the program in need of medical assistance.
“We’re very pleased that our firefighters will continue to get the treatment and the care they deserve for doing their job on September 11,” Cassano said.
Cassano also hopes the legislation will be a “living bill” that can later include illnesses that are currently not listed.
