Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) proudly voted in favor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which passed the full House by a vote of 268 to 160 on Wednesday.  In addition, Rep. Engel appeared before the House Rules Committee to discuss and make recommendations as to how the bill would be debated.  Rep. Engel has been a long-time supporter of the legislation and is an original co-sponsor.  He is the senior New York Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and helped lead the bill out of the Health Subcommittee and the full Committee before the final vote in the full House.

This measure will provide needed help to the many thousands exposed to toxins at Ground Zero including 16,000 first responders, and at least 2,700 community members who are currently sick and receiving treatment.

Rep. Engel spoke twice on the floor today in support of this legislation, these statements can be viewed here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0k2Yj3lXcU– and here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRb3uKKfvsM

“Every American was deeply affected by September 11, no matter what part of the country they lived in. People wept as the tragedy unfolded that day and over the days which followed.  People from all over the country joined to help the victims and never did they make conditions for such a pledge.  Victims of 9-11 continue to suffer from crippling physical ailments.  They are dying and have been ignored.  Today, the House of Representatives finally noticed,” said Rep. Engel.  “I am personally outraged that Republicans chose to make a political statement today and voted en masse against helping our heroes.  Anyone who cast a vote against this bill today sullied the memory of those who died and insulted those who are suffering on a daily basis.  For shame.”

More than 400,000 people are believed to have been exposed to toxins at Ground Zero – including the nearly 16,000 first responders and 2,700 who lived in the area and are sick and receiving treatment.  More than 40,000 first responders are being medically monitored and 71,000 people are enrolled in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry.  This legislation would provide medical monitoring and treatment to victims exposed at Ground Zero.  It provides for research into their 9/11 triggered health conditions.  It will also re-open the 9-11 Victim Compensation Fund for economic losses and harm, instead of the current litigation system.   The legislation would cover medical monitoring for those community residents who lived, worked, or were present within a 1.5 mile radius of the World Trade Center that day.  

Rep. Engel said, “There are those who call this program a New York benefit.  Let me set the record straight – people who are supposedly receiving this benefit are getting sick, then they get sicker, and then they are dying.  Some benefit.”

“There is no going back in time to save those who died on September 11, nor to warn those who rushed to the scene of the health risks they would face.  In fact, at the time they were told by their government, a week after the attacks, that breathing the air at Ground Zero was safe.  We can help those who are still with us, and those who sadly could still develop diseases in the years ahead.  I call on the Senate to follow our lead and pass this legislation as soon as possible.  The victims of 9-11 have waited long enough,” added Rep. Engel.  “This is not a New York, New Jersey or Connecticut problem – this is an American problem.  There were victims from 431 of the 435 Congressional districts.”

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