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June 25, 2009

MENENDEZ & LAUTENBERG JOIN AS CO-SPONSORS OF THE 9/11 HEALTH & COMPENSATION ACT

Seven New Jersey House Members Are Co-sponsors

We are proud that Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg have joined as co-sponsors of the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009.” The New Jersey State AFL-CIO has been a strong proponent of this legislation. The bill seeks to establish a federal health and compensation program for 9/11 responders and community members, as well as provide ongoing medical care for 9/11 health conditions to approximately 15,000 additional World Trade Center responders and 15,000 community members.  The bill would also reopen the Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for those who have been sickened by 9/11 exposures.  The Senate version (S-1334) was introduced on Wednesday, June 23, 2009.

The health implications of the 9/11 disaster were both immediate and long-term, affecting thousands of Ground Zero responders, including police, firemen, health care workers and construction workers. The federal response to these health emergencies has been inadequate to date.  This legislation seeks to remedy this problem. 

We also commend Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6), Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, who recently held a hearing on this important legislation (HR 847).  Congressman Pallone has been a strong advocate of helping 9/11 workers and their families, and we are appreciative of his efforts on this legislation.  We also thank Cong. Andrews (D-1), Cong. Garrett (R-5), Cong. Lance (R-7), Cong. Pascrell (D-8), Cong. Smith (R-4) and Cong. Holt (D-12) for their co-sponsorship of this bill.

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