Zadroga Act reauthorization finally passes through Congress; health care program extended 75 years for 9/11 first responders
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Friday, December 18, 2015, 2:35 PM
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STAN HONDA/ASSOCIATED PRESSReauthorization of the Zadroga Act means that first responders and others who suffer from lingering effects from the 9/11 attacks and the days after will get the funding for the health care they need.
WASHINGTON — Lifetime health benefits for sickened 9/11 first responders won overwhelming approval Friday from Congress after a long and contentious battle.
The House and the Senate both voted to extend the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, giving coverage to those afflicted with Ground Zero-related health woes for the next 75 years.
“It’s a very good day,” said Joseph Zadroga, whose firefighter son James died in January 2006 from health issues caused by his time in toxic Lower Manhattan after the World Trade Center attack.
APThe act is named for New York City Police Detective James Zadroga who spent hundreds of hours searching for victims of 9/11.
“I always say it’s not a done deal until it’s a done deal. There were some bumps in the road, but we had some great support this time.”
In addition to extending the healthcare program for first responders and others suffering lingering 9/11 health issues, Congress renewed the Victims Compensation Fund for another five years to aid first responders too sick to work and their families.
“After 15 years, the heroes and survivors of 9/11 will know that their health care is permanent and their compensation is full,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who fought for more than a decade to create the program and make it permanent.
Reauthorization took years, with first responders making hundreds of trips to the Capitol to guilt Congress into doing its job.
“This is a very important moment for all of us,” a teary-eyed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said during a press conference.
“All my gratitude goes to the first responders,” she said in a quavering voice. “This is my proudest day in Washington.”
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan) echoed her sentiments: “I can finally say I’m proud of my country."
KRIS CONNOR/KRIS CONNOR FOR NEW YORK DAILY NTelevision host Jon Stewart was a large proponent of getting the Zadroga Act passed through Congress, going down to Washington multiple times on behalf of those effected.
The total package to keep the government funded, called the omnibus, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House by a vote of 316-113. The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 65-33.
"We achieved everything we set out to accomplish,” said Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Staten Island), a freshman who's focused on the bill since he joined Congress.
“It's a total and complete win for the heroes who risked their lives to save others after the worst terrorist attack in our history.”
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