Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement after the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund announced that it plans to drastically reduce payments to sick 9-11 first responders and their families:
“When we needed them, they were there for us. So whenever one of our 9-11 heroes is diagnosed with a 9-11-related illness, we should be there for them. They should have the peace of mind of knowing they will have financial support from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to help them and their families. Cancer rates in the 9-11 first responder community are rising higher than ever, which means the VCF is more important than ever. We cannot tell them, ‘Sorry, we don’t have the funds for you.’ We cannot turn our backs on these heroes – not now, not ever. Remembering 9-11 should be more than a bumper sticker, and that’s why I will be reintroducing bipartisan legislation soon with Senator Cory Gardner and others that will ensure that the men and women injured by the toxins at Ground Zero are never forgotten. Our bill would fully fund the VCF and make it permanent, so that any 9-11 first responders who develop cancer in the coming years will have somewhere to turn when they need help. They were there for us, Congress must be there for them.”