Congress Has Moral Obligation To Step In To Protect 9/11 Fund, Jon Stewart And Other Advocates Say
Lawmakers introduced legislation Monday that would guarantee that first responders sickened by the attacks, as well as their survivors, receive their full benefit from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The bill would also make funding permanent. “This is a sea-to-shining-sea moment, a sea-to-shining sea promise, a sea-to-shining-sea obligation,” said Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). The victims’ fund should “not be extended for a moment but for a lifetime,” he added.
The Associated Press:
Lawmakers, First Responders Sound Alarm On 9/11 Fund
More than 17 years after the 9/11 attacks, first responders and their advocates were back at the Capitol Monday urging Congress to ensure that a victims’ compensation fund does not run out of money. Members of the New York delegation, joined by first responders, survivors and family members, lamented an announcement by the Justice Department that the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is running low on money and future payments may be cut by up to 70 percent. (Daly, 2/25)
Politico:
Jon Stewart Joins Lawmakers In Push For 9/11 Victims Funding
“If we learn that more people are hurt, we don’t stop and say ‘too late buddy, too late ma’am you got your cancer five years too late,’” Schumer said at a press conference. “We step up to the plate. That’s what America’s always done. That’s what America must do now.” The legislation comes after a report from the compensation fund’s special master last week that warned benefits would be reduced between 50 and 70 percent, depending on when a claim was filed, citing insufficient funds. “I sincerely apologize to the 9/11 community for making a promise that I could not keep,” special master Rupa Bhattacharyya wrote. (Levine, 2/25)
The Washington Post:
Again, 9/11 First Responders Are Pleading With Congress To Fund Their Health Care. Again, Jon Stewart Is Joining Them.
The sobering moment was punctuated by an infuriated [Jon] Stewart, who has spent the last decade repeatedly slamming Congress for delays in funding health care for ailing first responders and survivors who risked their lives on 9/11. Stewart’s fury on the issue has been nearly unparalleled among other public figures, emerging louder than arguably anyone else on Capitol Hill or in the media each time money for first responders’ health care has been at risk of evaporating.Now he’s back yet again, urging Congress this week to pass new legislation that would permanently fund health care for ailing 9/11 first responders and survivors, as yet again, the 9/11 victims compensation fund is running out of money. (Flynn, 2/26)
