After House Passes 9/11 Health Bill, Gillibrand "Fast Tracks" Legislation In The Senate

Press Release

Gillibrand Move Will Bypass Lengthy Committee Process, Bring the Legislation Closer to Full Senate Vote

Just hours after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Senate's chief sponsor of the bill, secured Senate Leadership support to fast track the legislation, bypassing the lengthy Committee process and providing opportunity for a full Senate vote when the Senate reconvenes next month.

"This should not be a partisan issue. We have an undeniable, moral obligation to pass this legislation and provide care to the thousands of heroes and survivors who are suffering, dying, and waiting for us to deliver the care they need," Senator Gillibrand said. "It's time to seize every opportunity, pass this legislation, and keep our promise to the heroes of this country who came to our rescue on 9/11."

On Wednesday, September 29, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives -- with the bipartisan support of 17 Republican Representatives -- voted to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The bill was immediately sent to the U.S. Senate, where, at Senator Gillibrand's request, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid invoked Senate Rule 14 Process, which will fast track the bill to floor consideration, bypassing the much longer and uncertain committee consideration process that the vast majority of bills undergo.

Through the fast track process, the legislation will be added to the Senate's vote schedule shortly after the next legislative session resumes, on November 15. Negotiations on the legislation will begin immediately, making it available for a floor vote at the start of the next Senate work period. While this process does not guarantee passage, it does remove obstacles including the committee process, which could stall the bill for months or kill it before it is brought to the floor.

In order for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to gain passage in the U.S. Senate, the legislation will have to receive at least 60 votes. Senator Gillibrand is working to secure the bipartisan support that will be needed to avoid a filibuster.

Thousands were lost on the morning of September 11, 2001, but today, thousands more -- including first responders, area residents, workers, students, and others -- are sick and getting sicker from exposure to toxins released from the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers.

Nearly 16,000 responders and 2,700 community members are currently sick and receiving treatment. Over 40,000 responders are in medical monitoring and 71,000 individuals are enrolled in the WTC Health Registry. While the majority of these people live in the New York/New Jersey area, at least 10,000 of those who are sick or being monitored for signs of illness today reside in areas throughout the country. In fact, citizens in all but four Congressional districts across the country could be affected by toxins from the 9/11 attacks.

Numerous studies have documented the health effects of the WTC attacks, which include lower and upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health conditions. These illnesses have caused major financial strains on many of those exposed, who are subsequently no longer able to work and face the high price of health care without a federally-funded national program to help cover the costs.

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