Unless Congress acts by the end of the year, funds for health benefits under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act will start to dwindle, potentially leaving people hurt during the attacks out in the cold.
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Comedian Jon Stewart on Thursday came to Capitol Hill to push lawmakers to renew legislation supporting first responders and victims of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Members of Congress and aides working on the legislation say a plan to reauthorize the legislation as part of the transportation bill was scrapped by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who they say sought concessions in exchange for approving the deal.
For the first time, both chambers of Congress have voted to repeal Obama’s signature health care law. Lawmakers say they are close to a deal, but are still looking for a way to pay for the legislation, which could cost more than $8 billion.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., agreed, saying Upton’s proposal shows momentum. The House, with the support of almost 50 Democrats, passed a bill last month to accomplish that goal.
McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said in an email that Durbin’s contention was “just not accurate”.
There is at least one more opportunity left in 2015: a year-end spending bill that could pass as early as next week.
The Zadroga Act, named after a responder who died after working at Ground Zero, first became law in 2010.
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) had proposed paying for most of it with the proceeds from aforfeiture agreement with BNP Paribas SA.
Paul Iannizzotto, a former New York City firefighter who was in the north tower of the World Trade Center when the south tower fell, said he was forced to retire in his 40s because of his many illnesses related to cleaning up the site.
“Our union benefits, our health benefits don’t cover all of these meds”, Iannizzotto said. But he said he was optimistic they can get the law extended in the spending bill.
Stewart pointed out that McConnell made a campaign ad spotlighting his support for a bill guaranteeing permanent healthcare for nuclear energy industry workers, which has cost $11 billion since going into effect.
On Wednesday, several of the first responders protested outside of McConnell’s office. They camped outside of McConnell’s personal office for much of the day Wednesday, according to John Feal, a demolition supervisor who has been leading the effort to reauthorize the health care programs.
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The first meeting Wednesday morning including roughly 30 first responders, and Feal said it was in the “top five” of the most emotional meetings he’s had on the issue. It’s important not just to firefighters, EMS and police officers, but to everyone, that those who protect us know that they won’t be abandoned in the aftermath of such a tragedy.
