The Evolution Of Hr 1327: From Bill To Law

On July 29, 2019, H.R. 1327, also known as the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, was signed into law by President Trump. The bill provides permanent financial support for families who lost loved ones and pensions for those suffering from illnesses stemming from the toxic debris they were exposed to as a result of the September 11 attacks.

The bill was signed into law by President Trump on July 29, 2019

On July 29, 2019, President Trump signed the bill H.R. 1327 into law. The bill was titled the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act". This act was a reauthorization of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, providing financial support for the families of those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks, as well as pensions for those suffering from illnesses related to the toxic debris they were exposed to during rescue and recovery efforts.

The signing of the bill was a solemn occasion, honouring the brave men and women who had responded to the attacks and worked tirelessly to rescue, recover, and support those affected. President Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, and several other distinguished guests, including representatives from New York's police and fire departments, who had been at the forefront of the response to the attacks.

The bill was named after three individuals closely associated with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks: James Zadroga, a New York Police Department detective who spent over 450 hours serving at Ground Zero and later died from lung disease; Ray Pfeifer, an East Meadow volunteer firefighter who worked for eight months at Ground Zero and passed away from cancer; and Luis Alvarez, a New York City detective whose powerful testimony about his experiences after the attacks touched the nation.

The law extended financial support for the families of those who lost loved ones and provided pensions for those suffering from long-term health issues. It also modified the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) policies, allowing claims to be filed until October 2090 and requiring VCF policies and procedures to be reassessed regularly.

The signing of H.R. 1327 into law by President Trump on July 29, 2019, marked a significant moment in honouring the heroes of the September 11 attacks and ensuring continued support for their families and all those impacted by the tragic events.

It funds the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 through FY2092

H.R. 1327, or the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act", was signed into law by the President of the United States on July 29, 2019. The Act funds the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 through FY2092.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 was established to provide financial assistance to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their families. The Fund was created to help those who were injured or became ill as a result of the attacks, as well as the families of those who lost their lives.

The Act extends the funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund through FY2092, ensuring that those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001 continue to receive the support they need. This includes those who were present during the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crash site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In addition to extending the funding, the Act also makes several modifications to the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). Firstly, it allows claims to be filed until October 2090, giving victims and their families more time to seek compensation. Secondly, it requires the VCF to reassess its policies and procedures at least once every five years, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and relevant. Thirdly, it requires the VCF to pay claimants the amount by which their claim was reduced due to insufficient funding. This ensures that victims receive the full amount of compensation they are entitled to. Finally, the Act removes the cap on noneconomic damages in certain circumstances and periodically adjusts the annual limit on economic loss compensation for inflation.

The Act also provides statutory authority for the Attorney General to appoint a special master and up to two deputy special masters to administer the VCF. This ensures that the VCF is properly managed and that claims are handled in a fair and timely manner.

It allows claims to be filed until October 2090

The H.R. 1327 bill, also known as the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act", was signed into law by President Trump on July 29, 2019. The bill was enacted to honour and support the first responders and families of those affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The bill includes several modifications to the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). One of the key provisions of the bill is the extension of the deadline for filing claims. Specifically, the bill allows claims to be filed with the VCF until October 2090, offering a long-term opportunity for those impacted by the attacks to seek compensation.

This extension is significant as it provides a nearly 70-year window for individuals to file claims related to the September 11, 2001 attacks. This extended timeframe recognises the potential for long-term health issues and other consequences that may arise years after the initial event. By allowing claims until 2090, the bill ensures that those who develop illnesses or face other challenges related to their exposure during or after the attacks will have the opportunity to seek financial support.

The impact of this provision is far-reaching. It gives peace of mind to those who may face health issues in the future, knowing that they will have the financial resources to cope with their challenges. Additionally, it demonstrates the government's commitment to standing with the first responders and their families, not just in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy but for decades to come.

The extension of the claims deadline is a crucial aspect of the H.R. 1327 bill, providing assurance and support to those whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001.

It provides pensions for those with 9/11-related illnesses

H.R. 1327, or the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act", was signed into law by President Trump on July 29, 2019. The Act reauthorises the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and extends it until the fiscal year of 2092.

H.R. 1327 provides pensions for those with 9/11-related illnesses. This includes first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and other civilian employees, who were exposed to toxic debris in the aftermath of the attacks. Since 9/11, more than 2,000 first responders and survivors have died from 9/11-related cancers and illnesses, with thousands more currently battling these diseases.

The law covers individuals who responded to the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse, including uniformed members of the NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, and DOC, as well as other civilian employees such as EMS workers, 911 dispatchers, supervisors, and emergency vehicle radio repair mechanics.

The WTC Disability Law, which took effect in 2005 and was amended in 2008 and 2013, established a presumption that certain disabilities for specific New York City employees were caused by their involvement in rescue, recovery, or clean-up operations at the WTC. This entitled these employees to accidental disability retirement benefits.

The process of filing claims for 9/11-related illnesses has been challenging due to the difficulty of definitively linking a particular medical condition to WTC exposure. As a result, the city has been legally obligated to challenge a significant proportion of these claims, often resulting in employees not receiving the benefits they seek.

H.R. 1327 aims to address these issues by providing statutory authority for the Attorney General to appoint a special master and up to two deputy special masters to administer the Victim Compensation Fund. It also extends the deadline for filing claims to October 2090 and requires the reassessment of the fund's policies and procedures at least once every five years.

It was supported by lawmakers from both parties

On July 29, 2019, H.R. 1327, also known as the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act", was signed into law by President Trump. This law provided permanent financial support for the families who lost loved ones as a result of the September 11 attacks, as well as pensions for those suffering from illnesses caused by exposure to toxic debris in the aftermath.

The bill was supported by lawmakers from both parties, with 402 yeas and 12 nays in the House and 97 yeas and 2 nays in the Senate. This bipartisan support was acknowledged by President Trump during his remarks at the signing of the bill, where he thanked "lawmakers in both parties for working with common purpose to pass this vital and critical legislation."

The need for this legislation arose from the lack of a dedicated funding program for health benefits for 9/11 first responders in the years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. While the House had passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in September 2010, the bill faced opposition in the Senate, where it was unable to reach the 60-vote threshold necessary to overcome a filibuster.

However, with the support of comedians like Jon Stewart, who dedicated an entire episode of "The Daily Show" to the issue, a modified version of the legislation was passed by the Senate in December 2010. This modified version addressed concerns about potential violations of international treaties regarding excise taxes. The bill then passed the House with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law, providing much-needed support for the 9/11 first responders and their families.

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