Suffolk Reporter

On the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), alongside co-leads Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY-04), and Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), introduced the Continued Costs of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks Act. This legislation aims to allow FEMA to reimburse state and city pension systems for losses in pension payments due to unanticipated deaths of first responders who participated in rescue and cleanup efforts following the attacks.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, passed by Congress in 2010, established the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) to provide healthcare for those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses. It also reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Bipartisan support led to expansions in funding and extended authorizations for these programs in subsequent years, ensuring aid for those injured and their families. Despite these measures, costs associated with the attacks continue to accrue annually, impacting FDNY and NYPD pension systems.

Following initial disaster declarations by President Bush after 9/11, FEMA reimbursed state and city pension systems $290 million for unanticipated pension-linked death benefits for fallen FDNY members and NYPD officers. However, New York City’s Office of the Actuary estimates that costs related to 9/11 retirements and deaths have surged to approximately $3.4 billion — a figure expected to grow further. The proposed act seeks to address this funding shortfall.

"The ramifications of 9/11 have reverberated far beyond what anyone initially anticipated," said Rep. Garbarino. "We lost nearly 3,000 Americans that day, but no one knew that we'd lose thousands more in the aftermath to 9/11-related illnesses... The Continued Costs of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks Act will reimburse New York State and City pension systems."

Rep. Nadler echoed this sentiment: “23 years have passed since the 9/11 attacks... We must ensure that the families of these heroes continue to receive the benefits that they deserve.”

Rep. D’Esposito highlighted financial strains on New York’s pension system caused by lingering effects of 9/11: “I am proud to co-sponsor...to ensure New York’s pension system does not face a shortfall.”

Rep. Goldman recalled witnessing scenes of devastation firsthand: "We owe a debt of gratitude... I'm proud to stand alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle."

Additional original cosponsors include Representatives Brandon Williams (R-NY-22), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-07), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Gregory Meeks(D-NY-05), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) and Adriano Espaillat(D -NY -13).

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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