9/11 Health And Compensation Act Clears Key House Committee

Press Release

9/11 Health And Compensation Act Clears Key House Committee

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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