For Immediate Release

April 23, 2007

Contacts: 

Nina Blackwell (Clinton), 212-688-9559

Risa Heller (Schumer), 212-486-3627

Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 212-860-0606

Amy Rutkin (Nadler), 202-225-0741

SENATORS CLINTON AND SCHUMER AND REPRESENTATIVES MALONEY AND NADLER SECURE $50 MILLION FOR 9/11 HEALTH FUNDING

Funding Included in Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC - Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer and Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler announced today that they have secured $50 million for 9/11 health needs in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. The funding secured by Senators Clinton and Schumer and Reps. Maloney and Nadler will be used to help meet New York's and the country's mounting 9/11 health needs.  This funding will not only help in providing treatment to those affected in the New York metro area, but responders from all over the country who are suffering from 9/11 health related issues.

"As we heard time and time again at the recent Senate hearing into 9/11 health effects, while the problem continues to grow so does the need for funds to give those who lived, worked and volunteered in the Ground Zero and Fresh Kills area the treatment that they so desperately need.  This critical funding will address many of the immediate 9/11 health needs and keep treatment programs operating in the near term.  However, we still have a long way to go to fully address the needs of those who were exposed to toxins.  I will keep fighting until we have the necessary and long-term funds in place to prevent these vital programs from having to go cap-in-hand to government as the money dries up."

"Many of the brave men and women who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 continue to suffer from devastating health problems caused by their heroic work,” said Senator Schumer. “At the very least, the federal government must make sure they receive the best medical treatment and monitoring available. Today, this $50 million is a terrific first step toward fulfilling this obligation and ensuring the services these programs currently offer continue uninterrupted.”

"Again, the New York area delegation had to step forward and get the funds needed because the Administration wouldn't. We continue to need a comprehensive plan to make sure everyone exposed gets medically monitored and everyone who is sick gets treated," said Representative Maloney.

"This funding is a great victory for the brave heroes and victims of Ground Zero who were unnecessarily exposed to a horrifying mixture of environmental toxins," said Representative Nadler.  "The money will provide critical immediate help for the key programs struggling to provide ongoing medical monitoring and treatment.  However, in order to ensure that Federal government properly pays its debt, we will need to continue to fight for funding on every available front, and ultimately devise a long-term, comprehensive solution that is not subject to the vagaries of these annual budgeting battles."

Senators Clinton and Schumer, and Representatives Maloney and Nadler have succeeded in making sure New York maintains the funding promised by the Administration in the aftermath of 9/11.  Senators Clinton and Schumer worked with members of the New York Congressional delegation to successfully restore $125 million in emergency 9/11 recovery aid that President Bush proposed to take back in his FY06 budget and succeeded in making that funding available for worker's compensation claims and to address the ongoing medical and mental health needs of firefighters, police officers, first responders, workers, and others who worked at Ground Zero and Fresh Kills.

The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill now awaits consideration on the Senate floor, which is expected to take place this week. When the bill is approved by Congress and signed into law, the funding secured by the Senators and Representatives will ensure that programs remain open and can expand these needed services.  

“This was a true collaborative effort on the part of the New York delegation and we are grateful for the support of the Appropriations Committee, especially Senator Robert Byrd, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Arlen Specter and Representatives David Obey and James Walsh.  Without their help, the $50 million in this legislation would not have been possible” added Senator Clinton.

The Senators and Representatives are working on all fronts to secure additional funding for the next fiscal year and to secure a federal commitment to ensure funding is dedicated to meet 9/11 health needs in the long-term.