House Legislation Provides Benefits to National Guard and Other 9/11 First Responders

The House of Representatives approved the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, according to CNN and ABC News. Named for James Zadroga, a New York City police officer who contracted a respiratory disease due to his participation in recovery and rescue operations at the World Trade Center, the bill provides medical benefits and financial compensation to emergency workers who were first responders at the scene of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who spoke in favor of the bill, addressed its passage: "Today we remember all the heroes of 9/11, we praised the strength of thousands of firefighters, rescue workers, first responders and medical personnel who turned tragedy into inspiration, and gave themselves, of themselves to help a city and our nation rebuild."

James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act: Now Headed to the Senate

The bill passed on a 268-160 vote, with three Democrats voting against the bill and 17 Republicans supporting the measure. Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the bill is fully funded and will not increase the federal deficit, says Speaker Pelosi. Additionally, Pelosi's office reports that the bill will provide "long-term, comprehensive health care and compensation for thousands of first responders and others exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001." Overall, the bill costs $7.4 billion dollars.

In a press release, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had this to say about the bill's passage: "Today's vote acknowledges that the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks were an attack on America, and addressing its health impacts is a national duty. The bill recognizes that the country should be there for the tens of thousands of responders who where there for us on 9/11."

The bill, originally debated in the House last year, failed to garner the votes needed to pass. After today's passage, the Senate will now pick up the effort. In his press release, Mayor Bloomberg notes, "It is imperative that we secure a commitment to bring this bill up in the Senate before the current Congress goes out of session. The President has said he will sign this bill when it reaches his desk. It's not enough to pass a bill in the House--we need to make this legislation law."

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