WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today issued the following joint-statement upon Senate passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Act, which extends through 2092, the program that provides compensation to first responders and their families for injuries and illnesses suffered as a result of 9/11.  The bill now heads to President Trump for his signature:

 

“Permanently funding the September 11th Victims’ Compensation Fund provides survivors and family members of first responders who became disabled or died due to 9/11-related illnesses with well-deserved peace of mind and the security of knowing that they will be taken care of. It’s about time. It should never have taken this long. It should have been done years ago. 

 

“Many of our first responders on that fateful day and those assisting in the recovery days, weeks and months later are sick and dying. Nearly 18 years after the terrorist attacks, 10,000 first responders have been diagnosed with cancer and over 2,000 deaths have been attributed to illnesses caused by the attacks. More people have and will continue to die from 9/11-related illnesses than on that day. At the very least, we owe it to them and their families to provide them with some measure of support.

 

“Our brave police, firefighters and other emergency management personnel didn’t hesitate running into the Twin Towers.  They didn’t pause to consider the personal risk. They acted. And by Congress acting today, we show our real gratitude as a grateful nation for their service and sacrifice.”

 

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