Never forget the first responders who walked into unthinkable danger that never went home.
Never forget the responders who were able to save lives and return to their families.
That is why I was proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 1327, the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, and joined my colleagues in passing it out of the House today.
H.R. 1327 would permanently reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), ensuring that first responders and their families get the compensation they so deserve. In 2015, Congress created the VCF to provide compensation to any individual or their family who was hurt or killed as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, or debris removal thereafter. However, it was only authorized for a 5-year period, ending in 2020.
On February 15, 2019, the Special Master of the VCF determined that due to insufficient funding, injured and ill first responders would be receiving a cut to the awards they are expecting, and relying upon. It would be unconscionable for Congress to allow these families to be denied these funds. H.R. 1327 would directly address this problem.
It is now up to the Senate: pass H.R. 1327, and put it on the President's desk. We must ensure that we provide these heroes with the care and services they deserve.
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