Lee Zeldin: “I thank the ranking member for his cosponsorship and his leadership with this issue. Madam Speaker, I rise today on…”

“I thank the ranking member for his cosponsorship and his leadership with this issue. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our 9/11 victims, first responders, and their families, urging my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. First responders who worked on the pile day and night, aiding in the search, rescue, and cleanup efforts, were breathing in toxic debris and ash that are now known to have caused over 50 different types of cancer. In 2011, the Zadroga Act was signed into law to help them. Five years later, it was permanently reauthorized and included $4.6 billion for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the very fund that we are here debating today. In February, the special master of the fund reported that current funding ``may be insufficient to compensate all claims,'' reporting that they would have to cut claims by up to 70 percent. As was noted, in the aftermath of 9/11, the EPA told New Yorkers and these first responders that the air at Ground Zero and the surrounding area was safe to breathe. The Federal Government was wrong. Madam Speaker, this was not a hurricane or a flood or a tornado. This was the largest terrorist attack ever on American soil.…”