Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary, Pols Fight to Revive Zadroga Act

Memorial in James Zadroga Field. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Thirteen years after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Long Island lawmakers joined other New York politicians in the push to reauthorize the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and Rep. Peter King joined Mayor Bill DeBlasio, first responders, and community members to resume the push to reauthorize programs to provide medical treatment.

With two of the bill’s major programs, World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, set to expire in the next two years, Gillibrand and Sen. Charles Schumer are introducing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act this month. Maloney, King, and Nadler will also introduce the bill in the House.

“…it shouldn’t have to take another ‘Christmas Miracle’ for Congress to do the right thing,” said Gillibrand. “It should simply take listening to these heroes and reflecting on 9/11 and about who we are as a nation.”

If passed, the new act will keep the programs in place through 2041.

“This reauthorization is critical for these individuals and their families,” said King. “We have come too far and we must continue to ensure that our 9/11 heroes receive the care they deserve.”

The World Trade Center Health Program is set to expire in October 2015 and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund will expire in October 2016.

“No group deserves our gratitude and help more than those who went to Ground Zero in the days and weeks following the September 11 attacks,” said DeBlasio. “We have a moral obligation to make sure that these heroes and their families get the medical treatment and compensation they deserve.”