WASHINGTON (AP) – The House overwhelmingly approved a bill to ensure that a compensation fund for victims of the September 11 attacks never runs out of money.
The 402-12 vote sends the bill to the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to call a vote before the Congress adjournment in August.
MPs from both parties praised the vote in the House, which comes a month after comedian Jon Stewart criticized Congress for failing to act. Stewart, a long-time advocate of 9/11 interveners, said at a moving hearing to lawmakers that they were showing a "disrespect" towards first responders now suffering from respiratory and respiratory diseases. 39; other diseases as a result of their recovery work on the former World Trade Center site in New York City.
Stewart called the weak attendance at the June 11 hearing "embarrassing for the country and stain on this institution". He later targeted McConnell to get the previous version of the bill too slow and used it as a political pawn to do something else.
Stewart said Friday the replenishment of the victim assistance fund was "necessary, urgent and morally right".
Replenishing the fund will not solve the health problems of rescuers and their families, but it would eliminate "an unnecessary 15-year burden on their government," said Stewart at a press conference on Capitol Hill.
13PICTURES
Jon Stewart Testifies at the 9/11 Victims Defense Fund Hearing
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart signs a sign bearing the name of Luis Alvarez, a retired Detective from the New York Police Department and a 9/11 respondent, following the Hearing of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill, June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart is sworn in before testifying at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the reauthorization of the September 9th Victims Compensation Fund. Capitol Hill June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: FealGood Foundation co-founder John Feal hugs former Daily Show host Jon Stewart at a hearing of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on the Reauthorization of Canada. Victims' Compensation Fund, September 11, 2019, Capitol Hill, Washington. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
United States – June 11: An artist and activist, Jon Stewart, wipes his tears after receiving the jacket of first responder, Ray Pfeifer, before testifying at a hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the House, which will review Permanent authorization of the Victims Compensation Fund in Washington on Tuesday 11, 2019. (Photo by Caroline Brehman / CQ roll call)
United States – June 11 – Artist and activist Jon Stewart wavers the jacket of first responder Ray Pfeifer before testifying at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which will review the permanent authorization of the Victims Compensation Fund in Washington on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Photo by Caroline Brehman / Roll call)
United States – June 11 – Artist and activist Jon Stewart wavers the jacket of first responder Ray Pfeifer before testifying at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which will review the permanent authorization of the Victims Compensation Fund in Washington on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. (Photo by Caroline Brehman / Roll call)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former daily show host, Jonathan Stewart, is photographed before testifying at a hearing of the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee on the re-authorization of the D & D Fund. September 11th victims compensation at Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host, Jon Stewart, and co-founder of the FealGood Foundation, John Feal, follow the audience at a hearing of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives on the Reauthorization of the Victims Compensation Fund on September 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart arrives before testifying at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Reauthorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund on Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to responders, victims and their families who need medical care because of health problems they have suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart arrives before testifying at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Reauthorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund on Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to emergency responders, victims and their families who are in need of medical care because of health problems as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart arrives before testifying at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Reauthorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund on Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to emergency responders, victims and their families who are in need of medical care because of health problems as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart testifies at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Reauthorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund at Capitol Hill, June 11 2019 in Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to emergency responders, victims and their families who are in need of medical care because of health problems as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: The former Daily Show host, Jon Stewart, is meeting with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) following a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Reauthorization of the Victims' Compensation Fund, September 11, 2019, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. The fund provides financial assistance to emergency responders, victims and their families who are in need of medical care because of health problems as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images)
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Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and other legislators congratulated Stewart for drawing attention to this issue, which has been going on for years at Capitol Hill.
"You've been too hot to handle" in the Senate, said to Stewart Pelosi, D-Calif., Congratulating him for pointing his "celebrity spotlight" on the issue.
The bill would extend a victims compensation fund created after the terrorist attacks from 2001 to 2092, making it essentially permanent. The $ 7.4 billion fund is quickly depleting and the directors have recently cut benefit payments up to 70%.
The Congressional Budget Office said in a report this week that the bill would result in additional compensation payments of about $ 10.2 billion over 10 years, including more than $ 4 billion for applications already filed . The bill would require victims whose compensation has been reduced due to the declining balance of the fund to be fully reimbursed.
"It was not a hurricane, a flood, or a tornado, it is the largest terrorist attack ever on American soil," said Representative Lee Zeldin, RN. "As Jon Stewart told the Judiciary Committee of the House, these terrorists did not say" Death for Tribeca. "It was an attack on all of us as Americans and we all should vote yes today as Americans. "
Zeldin and other lawmakers have noted that one of the most prominent advocates of the bill, former New York City police inspector, Luis Alvarez, does not believe it is a problem. had not lived to see the bill. Alvarez, who testified with Stewart at the hearing held in the House last month, died on June 29 at the age of 53.
Alvarez, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, traced his illness to three months in the wreckage of the World Trade Center's twin towers after the attacks.
Alvarez and the other first responders "should not have come here to fight on behalf of all these other victims and first responders," Zeldin said. "Month after month, year after year … how many first responders have made dozens of trips (to the Capitol) to educate, defend and passionately ask for support from members of Congress?"
The bill was renamed to honor Alvarez and other first responders.
"The first responders who rushed into danger on September 11, 2001 are the very definition of American heroes and patriots," McConnell said in a statement issued after the vote in the House. "The Senate has never forgotten the Victims Compensation Fund and we are not about to start now.We will soon review this important law."
20PICTURES
Photos seldom seen from September 11th
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President George W. Bush watches reports on attacks on the World Trade Center while he is briefed in a classroom to Emma. E Booker Elementary School September 11, 2001.
Photo credit: Photo by Eric Draper, courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library
In a photo taken two days after the attacks, one can see the considerable damage done to the Pentagon.
Photo Credit: Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cedric H. Rudisill
On September 11, 2001, late at night, the Pentagon continues to smoke.
Photo credit: Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Houlihan
A clock frozen at the moment of impact inside the Pentagon.
Photo credit: Photo of the Air Force by the Staff Sergeant. Larry A. Simmons
A burned office on the fifth floor of the interior of the Pentagon.
Photo credit: Photo of the Air Force by the Staff Sergeant. Larry A. Simmons
More damage from the fifth floor of the Pentagon.
Photo credit: Photo of the Air Force by the Staff Sergeant. Larry A. Simmons
President George W. Bush talks on the phone on board Air-force One while his main staff maintain nearby.
Photo credit: Photo of Eric Draper, courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library
George W. Bush meets with Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice at the President's Emergency Operations Center on the day of the attacks.
Photo credit: photo of the National Archives
Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice listen intently at meetings at the President 's Emergency Operations Center.
Photo credit: photo of the National Archives
Other views from inside the president 's Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.
Photo credit: photo of the National Archives
Smoke escapes from site of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Photo credit: Photo of Paul Morse, courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library
Soldiers from the 69th Infantry Division and New York City Fire Fighters, members of the National Guard, work together to clean up the rubble from the ground zero.
Photo credit: Photo of the New York National Guard
A soldier from the New York National Guard at Ground Zero.
Photo credit: Photo of the New York National Guard
Secretary of State Colin Powell from inside the president's emergency operations center.
Photo credit: photo of the National Archives
President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney speak inside the president 's Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001.
Photo credit: photo of the National Archives
A day after the attack, President George W. Bush greets the rescue workers, firefighters and soldiers present at the Pentagon site.
Photo credit: Photo of Eric Draper, courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library
President Thank you Firefighters, rescuers and military personnel at Ground Zero.
Photo credit: Photo of Eric Draper, courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library
President George W. Bush holds his father's hands during the celebration of the United States National Day of Prayer and Remembrance on September 14, 2001.
Photo credit: Photo of Eric Draper, courtesy of George W. Bush Presidential Library
Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) hang the largest authorized flag for the army over the Pentagon, cleaning and recovery continuing after the attacks.
Photo credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Pendergrass
Taken on February 8, 2004, the widow of pilot Jason Dahl, who flew United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, holds a flag honoring those who sacrificed their lives on 9/11. It is believed that the plane was en route to the White House but crashed in Somerset, Pennsylvania.
Photo Credit: Photo of the Air Force by Tech Sgt. Darin Overstreet
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