Lobbying Helps Ground Zero Victims' Aid Bill Gain Support

Federal legislation that provides compensation to first responders, rescue workers and medical care providers who have become ill from their duties at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks expired on Sept. 30.

Lobbying has paid off and renewal of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is gaining support in both the U.S. House and Senate.

The USA Today reported a dozen deaths which have happened within six weeks of the 14th anniversary have increased the sense of urgency in the need to renew the legislation.

Lobbying as well has played an important role in the efforts to renew the compensation act. People like Jon Stewart, a comedian and former host of “The Daily Show,” and John Feal, a former demolition supervisor from Long Island have aided in the lobbying efforts.

Feal, who suffered loss of part of his foot in the Ground Zero clean up, has helped ailing firefighters, police officer and construction workers lobby Congress for help.

More than 1,700 people have died from illnesses related to the attacks. And the program has only enough money to keep it operating until next spring, according to the USA Today story.

One of the law's key components, the World Trade Center Health Program, has enough money to continue operating until March or April. Without action by Congress, the program will begin notifying patients in January that they will lose services, Feal said.

Feal, who lost part of his foot during cleanup at Ground Zero, has led ailing firefighters, police officers and construction workers in making personal appeals to members of Congress.

Many lawmakers feel any attempt to renew the legislation would pass if it were to come to a vote. The newspaper reported the renewal effort has 57 sponsors in the Senate including 13 Republicans, just shy of the number needed to overcome filibustering. In the House, it has 223 co-sponsors, including 50 Republicans, more than the 218 needed for a majority.

The paper quoted Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of N.Y., predicting passage in her chamber whenever the vote is held.

The holdup appears to be the economics of the issue, according USA Today, that reported making the World Trade Center Health Program permanent would cost about $4.4 billion over 10 years and the Victims Compensation Fund would cost billions more.

Lawmakers recognize the importance of the legislation, but are trying to balance it with the economic realities. The only way to get major legislation passed and signed into law is with wide-spread bipartisan support and no impact on the deficit, the paper reported.

USA Today reported that Orrin Hatch of Utah, the Senate Finance Committee chairman, the panel that has jurisdiction over how the program’s renewal will be finance is aware of the issue and has expressed willingness to look at it in due time.

There’s no indication when Congress will consider any renewal measures.