Currents News Staff
The 9/11 victims fund bill has a long name: Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
Alvarez’s name was added after he passed away in June due to a 9/11 related cancer.
Established in 2011 and renewed in 2015, the law is set to expire next year if Congress doesn’t pass an extension.
“The process has started of relieving the burden in the 9/11 community and for the tens of thousands that have been following us. You have watched grass root activism at its best. You have watched the american people take the fight to Congress,” said 9/11 first responder John Feal.
Majority leader Mitch McConnell vowed to hold a vote on the fund, although exactly when that will happen isn’t clear.
Its administrator says there isn’t enough money in the fund to pay current and future claims.
The legislation had no trouble getting the needed votes in the Democratic controlled House, but now it will head to the Senate.
“We didn’t wait for Congress to come to us,” Fael explained.
“We went to Congress and these men and women behind me, the champions. And listen: Congress and the Senate, they’re doing their job. I’m never going to congratulate them, but those who stand behind me and beside me, and in front of me, they’re the ones who deserve all the credit.”