WASHINGTON, DC – The House Appropriations Committee will today consider legislation that would rescind $125 million provided to New York for workers compensation to help those with September 11th-related injuries or illnesses. Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY18), a member of the Appropriations Committee, joined fellow New York Members at a Capitol Hill press conference to rally support for efforts to withdraw this provision of the FY06 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations legislation. Lowey gave the following statement:
“As a New Yorker and a Member of the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for this bill, I am deeply distressed about this rescission of funds to help those who came to our city and state’s aid in the aftermath of September 11th.
“When President Bush stood on the rubble of the World Trade Center, and when he sat in the Oval Office with New York’s Congressional delegation almost four years ago, no one doubted his promise to provide New York with the funds to recover from the terrorist attack on our nation.
“None of us could have imagined that we would find ourselves here today, fighting to hold onto $125 million set aside for workers compensation benefits for those who helped search for survivors and assist victims in the aftermath of September 11th.
“This rescission of funds breaks the President’s promise to New York. It penalizes the individuals who could need our help if they develop illnesses years from now as a result of exposure to toxic materials like asbestos, fiberglass, and PCBs, at the site of the World Trade Center.
“We simply cannot rescind the funds to assist those victims before we even review the full needs of September 11th responders. And, if any of these funds are not needed for workers compensation payments, then we should redirect the money to supplement the federal response to the ongoing medical needs of September 11th responders.
“Today, I will join my colleague Jim Walsh on the Appropriations Committee in offering an amendment to preserve the $125 million in September 11th recovery funds the Administration is working to rescind. I hope my colleagues will join us in voting to keep the promises made to New York in the days and weeks after September 11th.”
