Pascrell Applauds Inclusion of Zadroga Act
Extension In Spending Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2015) – Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, released the following statement following Congress’ extension and funding of the bipartisan James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
“We have an obligation to care for the first emergency responders, the firefighters, and the police that worked on our nation’s behalf after we were attacked on 9/11,” said Pascrell, who represents North Arlington, the hometown of James Zadroga. “It is the job of the U.S. Government to protect those who protect us. Renewing the program that provides these heroes and their families with the health care and financial support they need should have been a no-brainer, not a bargaining chip. Nevertheless, I am pleased that we will have a long term extension of the Zadroga Act programs to care for and support those who answered the call of duty at Ground Zero.”
Pascrell held a public event in May in North Arlington, New Jersey, to call on the House to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act. He most recently joined a rally on December 3 to readdress the bill.
The bipartisan legislation is named in honor of James Zadroga, a North Arlington resident and New York City Police Department officer, who died of a respiratory disease that has been attributed to his participation in rescue and recovery operations following the September 11th attacks. Along with providing medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11 first responders, the Zadroga legislation extends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which provides monetary compensation for those physically injured by the attacks or by response activities and debris removal.
- Office of Congressman Pascrell
