Jon Stewart Spurs Growing Support for 9/11 Responders
-Seven U.S. Senators, 25 U.S. Reps. Cosponsored Zadroga Act
Reauthorization in Recent Days-
New York, NY – Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act and 9/11 advocate John Feal are applauding significant new support in Congress for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act following Jon Stewart’s visit to Capitol Hill yesterday. The legislation would reauthorize health care and compensation programs, due to expire next year, for sick, injured, and dying 9/11 first responders and survivors.
In recent days:
- Seven U.S. Senators and 25 Members of Congress from both parties have cosponsored the Zadroga Act reauthorization, bringing the total support on Capitol Hill to 43 Senators and 168 Members of Congress.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday that “we do plan to extend the program, and the committees of jurisdiction, the House and Senate, are actually working on the details now.”
- Sen. Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate health committee, said yesterday that “It is a top priority of the Senate health committee to reauthorize the legislation that provides health care and support to the September 11th first responders and survivors.”
- House Speaker John Boehner’s spokesperson said: “Our members and leadership team are reviewing the legislation and are committed to protecting the victims of 9/11.”
“Jon Stewart is a true hero to 9/11 heroes. We couldn’t be more grateful for his time, dedication to helping us, and the support he brought us yesterday. The spotlight Jon’s put on 9/11 health means that no one can say any longer that they need to study the issue. We hope that Speaker Boehner will follow the lead of his own health committee Chairman Fred Upton and commit to bringing the bill up for a vote,” said Richard Alles, FDNY Deputy Chief and Board Member of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.
“We thank Majority Leader McConnell and Chairman Alexander for their commitments and we’re grateful to all those who have signed on to the bill over the last week. 9/11 health and compensation programs have been operating for five years and the bill to extend them has been around for five months. It’s time to take action – we didn’t study the issue endlessly before running into the Twin Towers,” Alles added.
“Jon Stewart has created a body of work that all celebrities and all Americans should get behind, embrace, and emulate. Jon has no agenda other than making sure a fragile fraternity of heroes, volunteers, and survivors can access health care and compensation programs that are fully-funded and permanently extended. For that, we are forever grateful,” said John Feal.
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Topline statistics on 9/11 health crisis:
72,000 Americans will lose access to 9/11 medical monitoring or treatment if Congress allows the Zadroga Act to expire.
33,000 Americans are sick or injured because of the attacks – most have more than one ailment.
12,150 Disabled 9/11 rescuers have been deemed eligible for compensation – but this aid would likely be cut in half unless Congress acts.
4,166 Americans have been diagnosed with cancers caused by 9/11 – and doctors say this number will grow significantly in years to come.
85 NYPD officers have reportedly passed away from 9/11-related illnesses, more than died on 9/11 itself. Over 130 firefighters have died of 9/11 illnesses, as well.
New cosponsors of the Zadroga Reauthorization Act:
Senators
Full list of cosponsors
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] Sen Donnelly, Joe [IN] Sen Reed, Jack [RI] Sen Carper, Thomas R. [DE] Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] Sen Murray, Patty [WA]
Members of Congress
Full list of cosponsors
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [D-IN-1]
Rep Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Rep Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
Rep Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-31]
Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA-20]
Rep Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Rep Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4]
Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-21]
Rep Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ-9]
Rep Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Rep Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Rep Loebsack, David [D-IA-2]
Rep Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Rep Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Rep McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Rep Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2]
Rep Jenkins, Evan H. [R-WV-3
Rep Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI]
Rep Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14]
Rep Delaney, John K. [D-MD-6]
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-14]
Rep Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]