Federal, state legislation supports 9/11 responders

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — First responders and survivors from Sept. 11 may soon have better access to healthcare and compensation, thanks to new bipartisan legislation at the federal and state levels. The full text of four bills—two in the U.S. House of Representatives, one in the U.S. Senate, and one in the New York State Legislature, none of which have yet been updated on their respective legislative platforms online—are available at the bottom of this story.

In New York and Washington, D.C., bipartisan coalitions advanced legislation to fund and care for those affected by 9/11. They would offer practical ways to honor their sacrifices and continue their care going forward. The measures include boosting funds, fixing funding formulas, restoring research grants, setting up quick access to health care, ensuring fair treatment, and holding foreign state sponsors of terrorism accountable.

In D.C., lawmakers reintroduced bills to secure long-term funding for 9/11 health programs and to compensate victims of state-sponsored terrorism. In the Senate, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand led the reintroduction of the "9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act" to address a funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The bill—with a roughly $3 billion price tag—updates the program’s formula to secure funds through 2090, expands access to mental health care, and increases funding for data collection on 9/11-related conditions.

“Yet again, we are introducing a bill to fix a projected funding shortfall in the (WTCHP),” Gillibrand said. “Thousands of Americans risked their lives to protect our country in its darkest hour, and it is now our responsibility as members of Congress to be there for them as they continue to battle the horrific health ramifications from that day and the many days after.”

For fiscal year 2025, funding is already locked in. But for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, the proposed formula multiplies the prior year amount by 1.07 and factors in enrollment changes, with a provision that, if necessary, creates at least a 25% increase over the previous year.

The legislation would make several changes to protect the long-term viability of the WTCHP. It lets licensed mental health providers—not just physicians—perform initial health evaluations and certify mental health conditions. It would also extend the period for adding new 9/11-related health conditions from 90 to 180 days. Plus, the bill streamlines credentials for health care providers in the program’s nationwide network and clarifies enrollment by specifically excluding dead responders and survivors.

Alongside Gillibrand and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—both of New York's Senators—most of New York's House members also backed the reintroduced Funding Correction Act. On the Republican side, Reps. Andrew Garbarino, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, and Claudia Tenney lent their support. Democrats included Jerry Nadler, Laura Gillen, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Tim Kennedy, George Latimer, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Josh Riley, Pat Ryan, Tom Suozzi, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, and Nydia Velazquez. Many took part in a bipartisan, bicameral press conference on February 26 to announce the Funding Correction Act. You can watch it here:

And another group of federal lawmakers led by New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer reintroduced the "Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act"—the FIRE Cancer Act—offering free multi-cancer early detection screening to professional and volunteer firefighters. New York Reps. Gillen and Dan Goldman, Democrats, and Lawler and Malliotakis, Republicans, backed the legislation.

It would amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 so that a grant program for general firefighter support can also fund cancer prevention. Under the bill, eligible programs would supply testing at no out-of-pocket cost, with a maximum of $1,750 allocated per test out of $700 million earmarked to support grant funds.

The legislation also makes the FEMA Administrator and the CDC Director coordinate on a program for firefighters to opt-in to share anonymized results from cancer screenings. The program would track trends and identify potential cancer-causing variables among firefighters.

"The FIRE Cancer Act is a lifeline for those who put their lives on the line for the rest of us, ensuring they can access life-saving cancer screenings and preventative care without the burden of costs," Lawler said. "It’s time we do right by our heroes, protect their health, and give them the fighting chance they deserve.”

Also reintroduced, the "American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act" would support the 2015 U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. The fund helps terror attack victims secure court-ordered judgments against state sponsors of terrorism—like Iran, Syria, and North Korea—though it has historically struggled to provide enough compensation to some 20,000 victims.

The new legislation would give victims annual payments, better oversight, and more staffing to handle claims. Lawmakers from both parties—including Lawler, Malliotakis, and Goldman—backed the effort to help victims, including those affected by the 9/11 attacks and other tragedies dating back to the 1960s.

“As New Yorkers, we understand what so many of these victims have gone through,” Malliotakis said. “The USVSST fund has failed to operate as Congress originally intended, leading to repeat frustration and heartbreak of families of state-sponsored terrorism.”

Meanwhile, at the state level in Albany, Democratic Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara introduced the "9/11 First Responders Emergency Healthcare Access Act" on February 24. It would create a $5 million Emergency Coverage Bridge Fund for any 9/11 responders or survivors, regardless of job title, needing timely medical care due to claims being delayed or appealed.

The fund could apply to medical treatments, prescriptions, and urgent care for those who served during the recovery and cleanup of the World Trade Center attack site, Ground Zero. The bill, which does not yet have a numeral designation in the state legislature, would also create a task force to monitor the distribution and effectiveness of resources. They would monitor benefits, investigate disruptions, and recommend improvements. And every year, the Department of Health would report on the fund and collect data to inform future decisions.

“The men and women who stood tall on one of our darkest days should never have to wait for the care they deserve,” Santabarbara said. “Here in New York, we will always be ready to provide immediate support when it’s needed most.”

These pieces of legislation followed recent controversial spending cuts at the WTCHP. In February, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's chaotic Department of Government Efficiency fired staff and canceled research grants, prompting bipartisan criticism. Lawmakers urged a reversal of these decisions, underscoring the damage to some 130,000 responders and survivors.

The WTCHP, facing a roughly 20% workforce reduction, struggled to manage contracts or provide care. After the public outcry, the Trump Administration reversed many of the cuts and rehired staff.

Check out the "9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act":

The FIRE Cancer Act:

The "American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act":

And the "9/11 First Responders Emergency Healthcare Access Act":