After Putting Pressure on House Leadership to Support 9/11 First Responders, Brindisi and Bipartisan Majority in House Vote to Permanently Reauthorize Victims Compensation Fund

Statement

Today, Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) voted to permanently reauthorize the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Following Brindisi's call to action, House leadership held a vote Friday morning on the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. The bill passed 402-12.

After the vote, Brindisi issued the following statement:

Last week, I stood with first responders in Rome and Endwell to honor the brave men and women who gave everything to respond to the terror attacks on September 11th. Many lost their lives that day, and many are continuing to suffer from the side effects of sifting through toxic dust-covered debris at the World Trade Center site.

Today, the House of Representatives finally did the right thing and voted to reauthorize the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. The bill passed overwhelmingly - with support from Republicans and Democrats, because this is not a partisan issue. It is an American issue.

Now it's time for the Senate to act so we can get this bill to the President's desk and signed into law. We cannot wait any longer. Our first responders had our backs on 9/11 and every day since. Now it's time we have theirs.

Brindisi's advocacy was praised by community leaders.

"I would like to thank Congressman Brindisi and our first responders for bringing the issue of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Act to the forefront in the House of Representatives," said Rome Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo. "Today's successful passage of the Victims Compensation Act provides financial security for not only those who gave their life on 9/11 but all those first responders and others who painstakingly worked at the damaged areas to clear debris, search for victims and provided security and lifesaving EMS services. September 11, 2001 is a day forever etched in our memory, and certainly a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by so many of our fellow citizens to protect our country"

"I'm so glad to see that with the help and efforts from our Congressman Anthony Brindisi, this important legislation is making its way to the House floor for a vote," said Chief Ron Brement Rome Fire. "This is so important to the First Responders that are paying the ultimate price today with their health for the unselfish response they made on that horrific day of 9/11."

"Just last week, Congressman Brindisi joined us and called on Washington to do the right thing and permanently reauthorize the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund," Utica Fire Department Chief Scott Ingersoll. "This week, the House of Representatives got it done. I want to thank Congressman Brindisi for standing with us and holding Washington's feet to the fire on this."

The "VCF" was created to provide compensation for those who suffered physical harm or were killed as a result of the 9/11 terror attack or the debris removal efforts that took place after the crashes. The original VCF ran from 2001-2004. In 2011, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 to allow the VCF to operate for a period of five years, ending in October 2016. Congress passed a reauthorization of that bill in 2015, which included a five-year reauthorization of the VCF, allowing individuals to submit their claims until December 18, 2020.

To date, the VCF has received 48,548 eligibility claims, with 23,390 claimants eligible for compensation. In February, the VCF reported "insufficient funds" and announced cuts of 50% for pending claims and 70% for new claims.

The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

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