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Victim Compensation Fund

Help Convince Reluctant Senators to Vote in Favor of the VCF Extension

June 12, 2019 | Michael Barasch

As you know, I was in D.C. this week with Rich Alles and Lee London of my firm. We brought down dozens of 9/11 responders, and we were joined by 9/11 advocates Jon Stewart and John Feal, Ellie Engler of the United Federation of Teachers and Lila Nordstrom of Studentsof911.

In sum, we are making a lot of progress. To date, over 300 representatives in the House have agreed to co-sponsor the pending bi-partisan bill to extend (and fully fund) the VCF. We currently have 40 Senators as well. However, we need more Senators, especially those in key states where a significant number of former World Trade Center responders now live.

Today, The Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives approved it without any amendments. This is great news. Now we need the entire House of Representatives to vote for it (Nancy Pelosi promises that she will put the bill up for a vote before July 4). Then it will go to the Senate where we need 7 more Republican Senators to co-sponsor this bi-partisan bill. Stay tuned. I will be going back to DC in July.

Once again, I urge you to reach out to your family and friends living in these 8 states and urge them to call their Senators. They should demand that their Senator agrees to co-sponsor S-546, “Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Extension of the Sept 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act”.

As Jon Stewart so eloquently stated during his testimony at yesterday’s Judiciary Committee hearing,

“These men and women and their response to [9/11] is what brought our country back. It’s what gave a reeling nation a solid foundation to stand back up on; to remind us of why this country is great; of why this country is worth fighting for. Thank God for all of these people. They responded in 5 seconds. They did their jobs with courage and grace, tenacity and humility. 18 years later, do yours!”

Here is a clip to Jon’s testimony.

Mike Barasch, along with 9/11 advocates Jon Stewart, John Feal and studentsof911.org advocate Lila Nordstrom.

Here are the states to call:

Florida (nearly 4,000 in the WTC Health Program)
1. Sen. Marco Rubio 202-224-3041
2. Sen. Rick Scott 202-224-5274

North Carolina
1. Richard Burr 202-224-3154
2. Thom Tillis 202-224-6342

South Carolina
1. Sen. Lindsay Graham 202-224-5972 ****(his support is key)
2. Sen. Tim Scott 202-224-6121

Georgia
1. Johnny Isakson 202-224-3643
2. David Perdue 202-224-3521

Ohio
Sen. Rob Portman 202-224-3353

Texas
1. John Cornyn 202-224-2934
2. Ted Cruz 202-224-5922

Utah
Mitt Romney 202-224-5251

Pennsylvania
Pat Toomey 215-241-1090

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15 replies on “Help Convince Reluctant Senators to Vote in Favor of the VCF Extension”

Thank you for all you do for us it’s just sad that our elected official don’t give a shit even though we voted them in and they just walk home at night to their comfortable bed and collect their salary knowing that their health care for them and their family is cover by the people that voted them in to their postions

Thank you so much…these reluctant politicians didn’t live thru 911 except on their tv sets..they are far removed from the real hardships and illnesses first responders are going thru…if they would have responded instead of sitting behind a far away desk maybe they would feel diferently…thanx mike for fighting for us …and john too !

It is imperative as Americans that the 911 comp gets funded. We give aid to every country in the world and we must take care of our own first. This was a historically devastating event and every survivor is entitled to be included and not shut out or compromised. Let’s show the world how we take care of our own!

Hello Mike, I want to commend you and all that you do and have done for us 9-11 first responders. Since becoming disabled I have a tremendous amount of time. I would like to give that time in helping any way I can. I have lost many friends and Co workers who were with me side by side on the pile. I want to give back.

Can you please approve this bill. Even though it’s not much the money can’t not replace my life but will go toward my medication ,which keeps me living.Please I am begging you to accept this bill. So all 911 survivors like me doesn’t have to struggle and go through the hardships.

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