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Supporting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act

Nov 17, 2015 | Blog

As someone with several first responders in my family, I value the work they do across the country each day. Our nation especially owes a debt of gratitude to the heroes and volunteers who served our fellow citizens during and after the September 11th attacks.
 
Programs designed to meet the unique health needs of those Americans should be renewed, and those who rely on them should not face uncertainty and continued anxiety over their future. To help achieve these goals, today I co-sponsored S. 928, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.
 
I continue to believe that we should prioritize our 9/11 first responders’ needs above other things that the federal government is spending money on – and in many cases, wasting money on. While I am co-sponsoring this bill, Congress should nonetheless find appropriate ways to pay for this reauthorization and ensure a sustainable long-term solution.
 
Congress must keep faith with the heroes and victims of 9/11, while also making sure our federal government is living within its means and protecting taxpayers. As we continue working on this issue, I hope we can improve this legislation or reach an agreement that meets both these goals.