9/11/15: Today marks the fourteenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. President Obama will mark the solemn occasion at Fort Meade.
We remember and honor those who perished, offer deepest sympathies to the families, and express our gratitude to those heroes who rushed in.
Several bills have been introduced in Congress to honor those who died and to provide medical care for first responders. We highlight those below. Click through to share your thoughts with Congress.
Bills to extend the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program
The original September 11th Victims Compensation Fund operated from 2001-2004. On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which re-authorized the VCF, allowing individuals who became ill or died after the original VCF closed to be compensated for economic damages and losses stemming from their physical injuries. Current authorization from the VCF ends in October 2015.
On September 6, 2015, Special Master of the VCF, Sheila Birnbaum, reported that to date, the VCF has found 12,150 people eligible for compensation in claims totalling $1,443,475,952.82.
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (S 928) — bipartisan —
Senate Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D, NY)
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (HR 1786) — bipartisan —
House Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D, NY-12)
The bills would extend the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Fund indefinitely and index appropriations to the medical care component of the consumer price index for urban consumers.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the bill in June.
Bill to Release Documents Related to the 9/11 Attacks
Transparency for the Families of 9/11 Victims and Survivors Act of 2015 (S 1471) — bipartisan —
Senate Sponsor: Sen. Rand Paul (R, KY) “
This bill "requires the President to declassify and release to the public the previously redacted portions of the report on the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001, filed in the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 20, 2002, including all the material under the heading "Part Four–Findings, Discussion and Narrative Regarding Certain Sensitive National Security Matters." CRS Summary
"I firmly believe the family members of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have the right to know the details surrounding the tragedies that occurred on that sad day. The American people deserve a government that instills trust and a restoration of their sense of security, and I believe that the Transparency for the Families of the 9/11 Victims and Survivors Act is a step in the right direction,” said Sen. Paul upon introduction of the bill.
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Making the World Trade Center site a National Monument
Representative Tom MacArthur (R, NJ-3) has introduced a bill designating the National September 11 Memorial located at the World Trade Center in New York City, New York, as a national memorial.
National 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center Act (HR 3036) — bipartisan —
— Highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
