U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), whose congressional district includes part of Monmouth County, lauded the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act through the House Energy and Commerce Committee during a markup on May 25.
The final vote on passage through the committee of 33-12 will send the bill to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration, according to a press release.
“I am glad to see this bill move forward; it is long overdue,” said Pallone. “The responders and survivors of 9/11 have been waiting nearly a decade for this legislation to be enacted.”
According to the press release, the legislation provides funding for the medical treatment of health conditions associated with those individuals who were exposed to toxins at ground zero, including first responders, residents and area workers.
The program builds on the existing monitoring and treatment program by delivering expert medical care through the Centers of Excellence.
“The 9/11 attacks changed the lives of all Americans, but none more than the victims, first responders and others who were at the site when the World Trade Center fell. We asked more of those who responded to this disaster than ever before, and it’s important that we help them deal with the aftereffects,” Pallone said.