Trump Invites Fitzpatrick to 9/11 Bill Signing Today at White House

The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund Will Be Extended Through 2090

July 29, 2019

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), a former FBI Special Agent in New York City, today will join 9/11 First Responders and family members at the White House as President Donald Trump signs into law the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act

 

This legislation will provide financial support for first responders who were injured in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.  In February, it was reported that the VCF was rapidly running out of funding with thousands of pending claims. 

 

“I’m proud to join our 9/11 First Responder Heroes today as President Trump signs a law to ensure that those who engaged in acts of heroism and saved lives on September 11th will receive the benefits they are owed,” said Fitzpatrick. “It was a moral imperative to get this legislation across the finish line, and I hope the President’s signature today can provide hope and peace of mind to 9/11 first responders and their families. I applaud the courage of advocates who put the pressure on Congress to get this done, including my colleague Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Jon Stewart, for helping us make this bill the law of the land. ”  

 

As a former FBI Special Agent in New York City, and as the Vice-Chair of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Fitzpatrick led the charge to engage support for this legislation.  This was the first piece of legislation that the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed in utilizing the “290 Rule” to force a Floor vote.  With the help of Fitzpatrick and Maloney, over three-quarters of Members of the House of Representatives had signed on as cosponsors. 

 

Tragically, 9/11 first responders continue to suffer from illnesses attributed to their emergency response. With the death of Richard Driscoll earlier this month, New York officials now claim that 200 firefighters have passed away due to ailments stemming from toxic conditions at Ground Zero.  

 

Earlier this month, Fitzpatrick spoke on the House Floor to urge his colleagues to renew the VCF. Watch his speech HERE

 

 

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