Dear Neighbor,
Every September 11th, we vow to Never Forget. We remember the thousands of lives lost—including the 750 New Jerseyans who perished—and recommit to our pledge to care for survivors and first responders. However, the Trump administration is breaking that pledge.
Nearly two decades ago, I fought to pass the Zadroga Act and create the World Trade Center Health Program, which was designed to provide lifelong care for our survivors as they dealt with new conditions from their exposure to toxic material on 9/11. However, the program has stopped certifying new conditions, and its Steering Committee has stopped meeting (despite the Trump Administration claiming otherwise). Additionally, the Administration is refusing to give Congress information on the status of the program.
As a result, many responders are unable to begin urgent treatments like chemotherapy. Survivors and health experts say their questions have gone unanswered for months, with no clarity on how conditions are being tracked or when stalled certifications will resume.
This is betrayal of our 9/11 heroes. I demanded answers this week from the Administration about the about staffing upheavals and care disruptions. You can read my statement HERE, and learn more in the video below.
