Congress passed a bill on compensation for rescuers during 9 / 11 attacks

The US Senate 23 July passed a bill guaranteeing financial support for families of rescuers affected by the September 11 attacks on 2001.

Фото: Depositphotos

The document was supported by 97 senators, two were against, the project was named after three heroic members of the police and the fire service of New York, who died of health complications caused during work after the terrorist attacks: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeiffer and Louis Alvarez, writes New York Post.

The surviving rescuers and policemen were pleased with the law, but complained about its too slow progress in Congress.

On the subject: In the US, 200 died, rescuing people during the September 11 attack

“We are very proud of our brother and that his name is in the title of the bill. We hope he rests in peace and that this document will help many who fought the terrorist attacks,” Alvarez’s brother said.

He expressed the hope that the money from the newly created fund would never be needed, because the need for them would mean that one of the rescuers fell ill again because of the experience. In addition, Alvarez's brother stressed that rescuers should not have fought so long for the recognition of their merits and the financing of medical expenses.

It was a very long and difficult attempt to pass a bill. For his adoption were many well-known personalities and Alvarez, who fought with cancer, but did not live to see the adoption of the law.

The document overcame the first hurdle of 12 in July, when it was accepted by the House of Representatives 402 in a vote against 12.

Then Republican senators Michael Lee from Utah and Rand Paul from Kentucky blocked a vote on this measure last week. They raised objections to the fund’s budget and control over these funds.

The amendment proposed by Lee provided for the limitation of 10 fund expenditures in billion dollars during the first 10 years. But she was not supported by other senators. Another amendment introduced by Paul to reduce spending elsewhere also failed in the Senate.

Lee and Paul voted against the bill during July 23 voting.

On the subject: September 11 Stories You Didn't Know

It is expected that the law financing the compensation program up to 2092 will cost 10,2 billion dollars in the first decade, but the costs of the program are not limited.

The fund for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks was first installed in 2011 after many rescuers fell ill with cancer and respiratory diseases after working at the scene of the terrorist attacks. Congress reorganized the foundation in 2015, the foundation was supposed to operate until 2020.

To date, about 22 500 people, including the 850 family of the victims, have received about 5 billions of dollars in compensation. Payouts on average are 250 000 dollars for cancer victims, and smaller amounts for those who have developed less serious illnesses due to the attacks.

But funding would soon have to end, with 21 one thousand applications pending on the program.

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