Brindisi Applauds Senate Support of The 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund

Press Release

Following a long public pressure campaign from first-responders and community leaders, Congress passed legislation permanently reauthorizing the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Today, the Senate passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, a bill the House of Representatives previously passed on July 12, 2019 by a bipartisan vote. Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), a leader on this issue, issued the following statement:

Washington finally did the right thing. On September 11th, many courageous New York first responders ran towards danger. They didn't ask questions, they didn't hesitate, they bravely charged into the wreckage to help and today we properly honored them. Permanently reauthorizing the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund is a small token of gratitude to these brave men and women.

I am glad Congress got this done and hopeful that the President will sign this into law.

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.

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