For Immediate Release: July 24, 2009

Contacts: Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 212-860-0606
Ilan Kayatsky (Nadler), 212-367-7350
Lauren Amendolara (McMahon), 202-225-8420

House Passes $70 Million for 9/11 Health Care

Washington, D.C. -- Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Michael McMahon (D-NY) today applauded the House passage of $70,723,000 in funding for the World Trade Center Health Programs for Fiscal Year 2010. The funding was included in the FY2010 Labor and Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill, which passed the House today. The lawmakers, along with Rep. Peter King (R-NY), are sponsors of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847), which would provide long-term, comprehensive health care and compensation for those sickened or injured in the aftermath of 9/11.

"The heroes and heroines of 9/11 deserve a helping hand from the federal government --it's the least we can do as a grateful nation. This $70 million in federal funding will keep the doors of 9/11 health clinics open until we pass comprehensive 9/11 health legislation, hopefully by the eighth anniversary of the attacks," said Rep. Maloney. "I thank President Obama and my colleagues in the House for their continued support of the men and women who came to the aid of the country after 9/11."

"This $70 million for the World Trade Center Health Programs will directly benefit the first responders and community members who are living with 9/11-related illnesses," said Rep. Nadler. "These funds are critical for ensuring that those who sacrificed -- or who were innocent bystanders -- on or after 9/11 are taken care of until we pass comprehensive 9/11 health care legislation. Thanks are due to President Obama, Congresswoman Maloney and my colleagues for supporting this crucial
program."

"As we have said time and time again, there isn't enough we can do for the courageous men and women who responded on 9/11," said Rep. Michael E. McMahon. "This federal funding will help provide the necessary health care services that many first responders desperately need. I thank my colleagues in the House, especially Reps. Maloney, Nadler and King, for their support."

Earlier this year, the House passed and President Obama signed into law the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 1105), which contains $70 million in
funding for FY 2009 for federal 9/11 health programs.

Please click here for a summary of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and here for a Q&A on the legislation.

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Press Release -- For Immediate Release
July 29, 2009
Contact: Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 646-831-1649
Maloney.house.gov

9/11 Health and Compensation Act Clears Key House Committee

-NY Reps. Maloney, Nadler, King, McMahon Hail Progress of Bill to Provide Comprehensive Health Care, Compensation to Those Sick from 9/11-

Washington, D.C. -- Today, the House Judiciary Committee approved a portion of the landmark 9/11 Health and Compensation Act by a vote of 22-9. New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, and Michael McMahon, the lead sponsors of the legislation, hailed today's approval as a sign of the measure's strong momentum toward a vote in the full House by the eighth anniversary of the attacks. The legislation would provide long-term, comprehensive health care and compensation for those sickened or injured in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"Today's vote is a crucial step toward our goal of passing this landmark bill by the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Eight years is long enough to finally get proper care and compensation for the heroes and heroines of 9/11," said Rep. Maloney. "I thank my good friends and cosponsors Jerry Nadler, Pete King, and Michael McMahon for their leadership and I am grateful to Chairman Conyers, Congresswoman Lofgren, and Speaker Pelosi for their steadfast support in moving this long-overdue bill forward. I would also like to extend my gratitude to three friends on the other side of the aisle who voted today to approve this bill: Reps. Dan Lungren, Ted Poe, and Thomas Rooney."

"By all accounts, the Victim Compensation Fund has been an overwhelming success," said Rep. Nadler. "Today's Judiciary Committee vote to reopen the fund is major progress in our long fight to provide much-needed compensation to those who have suffered physically and economically because of 9/11. Now we are one important step closer to passing the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which will finally address the health crisis among first responders, workers, residents and others after 9/11. I thank Chairman Conyers and Chairwoman Lofgren for their work on this critical issue."

"Those brave individuals caught in the dust cloud on 9/11 need constant monitoring as health conditions resulting from exposure continue to arise and develop," said King. "I am extremely gratified that after years of fighting to pass this bill, we have moved one step closer to providing the survivors and first responders the care and compensation they deserve."

"I applaud Chairman Conyers and the House Judiciary Committee, in addition to the House leadership, for their commitment to our 9/11 first responders," said Rep. Michael E. McMahon. "The quicker this bill becomes law, the quicker those heroic men and women receive the care they desperately need, let alone deserve. I thank my colleagues, Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Peter King for their unwavering dedication to the expedient passage of this bill."

The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the portion of the legislation that would reopen the federal Victim Compensation Fund for those who suffered economic losses as a result of exposure to Ground Zero toxins. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the health care component of the bill.

Please click here for a summary of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and here for a Q&A on the legislation.

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