On the recordDecember 11, 2015
The James Zadroga Act, the 9/11 Victims Health and Compensation Act, is up for renewal, surprise to everyone. It passed 5 years ago with a 5-year limit to be reenacted in this Congress. What has happened? Absolutely nothing. We keep waiting. We were told that the 9/11 victims compensation bill, the Zadroga Act, would be on the transportation bill. It was mysteriously withdrawn at the last moment. We don't know when this bill will pass. What has happened to this place? What has happened to the spirit of bipartisanship to get this bill passed? How can you, on the Republican side, go so low as to use this bill as grease to pass other legislation? That is what is being done right now. The 9/11 Victims Act is being used as grease to pass other bills. It is outrageous. It is disrespectful to the men and women who gave all to serve this country, people who have stage 4 cancer today and are dying. It gives them no more solace to know that their country is not standing by them. We continue to say ``never forget,'' yet we continue to forget in this Christmastime, in this holiday season, those who are suffering. Give them peace of heart and mind, and pass this bill. ____________________
