Statement by Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on Senators Lee and Paul Blocking Passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act

Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) with the support of Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), attempted to bring to the Senate floor the permanent extension of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Two Senators blocked the bill even though the legislation had the overwhelming bipartisan support of 73 Senators and passed the House of Representatives with over 402 yes votes from both sides of the aisle.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) raised the procedural roadblock preventing the Senate from taking up the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Phiefer, Luis Alvarez Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Legislation. This despite the assurances that they and their staff have made that they supported the legislation and wanted to see it passed.  

Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act is extremely disappointed that these senators have blocked critical help to the thousands of injured and ill 9/11 responders, survivors and their families that need it.

We urge supporters’ of 9/11 responders and survivors to call the two Senators offices and urge them to remove their “holds” on the bill and support Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s efforts to pass the legislation.

• Senator Mike Lee of Utah is standing in the way of helping injured and ill 911 responders, survivors and their families.  Please call Senator Lee’s office at: 202-224-5444

• Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky is standing in the way of helping injured and ill 911 responders, survivors and their families.  Please call your Senator Paul’s office at 202-224-4343