Congressman Lee Zeldin has officially announced the permanent extension for The James Zadroga Act this week. The Zadroga Act, which is instrumental in providing 9/11 first responders with necessary health care, was included in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package expected to be passed this week.
“The permanent extension of the Zadroga Act is a huge victory for 9/11 first responders who showed enormous amounts of courage and bravery in the aftermath of the terror attack on America. Since the beginning of the year, I have worked closely with colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that before the end of the year Congress permanently extended the Zadroga Act, which provides necessary healthcare to our 9/11 first responders. This is a huge victory and I am proud to have helped lead the fight for this extension, working across the aisle, to ensure that 9/11 first responders receive the care they earned and need for years to come, and provide them and their families with peace of mind.” -Congressman Lee Zeldin
Originally passed in 2010, the Zadroga Act established the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Funding for both programs are sufficient enough to carry them into the following year. However, the healthcare fund authorization had since lapsed, requiring immediate reauthorization. The omnibus spending package is a $3.5 billion, permanent extension of the World Trade Center Health Program and a five year, $4.6 billion Victim Compensation Fund.