Media Center
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed, for the second time, legislation to address the health crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, will provide health care for those exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The bill will also reopen the federal Victim Compensation Fund to provide economic relief to those harmed by the attacks. Earlier today, the Senate passed an amended version of the bill that reduces the bill’s cost to $4.3 billion over five years. A summary of the Senate’s changes can be found below.
Maloney’s remarks can be found below.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the tax cut package. This was a difficult decision. But on balance, this is the best deal struggling Americans are going to get.
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) reacted tonight to the defeat of S. 3167 in the House on a nearly party-line vote. The Senate companion to her bill (H.R. 4595, cosponsored by Rep. Charlie Dent, R-PA) would have made the Census Bureau director appointed to a five-year term and enable him or her to directly report to the Commerce Secretary to help protect the Bureau from the vagaries of year-to-year bureaucratic battles.
Washington, D.C. – Today, a group of 59 Members of Congress wrote to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging her to add H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, to the House version of the bill to extend the Bush tax cuts that both houses of Congress are expected to consider in the coming days. Earlier this morning, the Senate considered the Zadroga Act on a stand-alone basis, but despite the support of 58 Senators, the Senate could not reach agreement to begin debate on the measure.
“If Senate Republicans are refusing even to debate the Zadroga Act, we should attach it to a measure they won’t ignore: extending the Bush tax cuts,” said Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY). “Thousands of Americans, from all 50 states, are sick because of 9/11 and they shouldn’t have to wait any longer to get the help they need. The time is now to meet our moral obligation to those who are suffering because of an act of war against our country. There’s been no greater advocate for 9/11 rescuers and survivors than Speaker Pelosi, and we are hopeful she can give this bill one last push forward before this Congress comes to an end.”
A full copy of the lawmakers’ letter to Pelosi follows in text and is viewable here as a pdf.
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Carolyn Maloney hailed Senate passage yesterday of legislation she co-authored with Sen. Tom Coburn, Sen. Tom Carper, and Rep. Charles Dent to reform the management of the U.S. Census.
"It's bipartisan, it's good government, it's scientific independence, it’s good management, and it's about time!" Maloney said. “This important reform ensures consistent professional management of this major scientific agency, and minimizes political interference of its vital Constitutional mission. I’m grateful to Senators Carper and Coburn for their bipartisan leadership this issue in the Senate. Now we in the House must commit to forward thinking to avoid problems in the run up to the 2020 census.”