Roughly seven out of 10 U.S. senators and more than half of congressional representatives — including members of both parties — supported renewing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. But until this week, it was in limbo, due to the vagaries of legislative politics, according to New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
"Even though we had the support needed, you still have to be given the opportunity to vote on something," she said. "Very few bills actually get voted on."
Now the $8.1 billion renewal is being attached to an omnibus spending bill expected to be approved in both houses on Friday.
Gillibrand credits the 9/11 emergency responders who all but camped outside the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for pressuring him into the vote.
John Feal, one of the chief foot soldiers, says he was repulsed by the politics but takes comfort that the final package has enough money to pay for the medical needs of responders, cleanup workers and others.
"We're proud that the doctors' fees aren't going to be lowered," he said. "So we'll be able to retain the really good doctors who specialize in environmental diseases."
The renewed Zadroga Act will fund 9/11 healthcare until 2090.
Feal says he'll be dead by then, but if there's anyone left who still needs help, they can dig him up, and he'll get back to work.
