Additional Funding Supported in Congress
Currently pending in Congress is the “Never Forget The Heroes Act”. That bill, if passed, will make the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund permanent by adding funds to fully compensate victims and by extending the life of the VCF so victims who get sick in the future can be compensated for their losses.
The bill will also require the VCF to pay additional compensation to any victim whose award was reduced because of the recent compensation reductions imposed by the Special Master.
The bill now has more than enough co-sponsors to pass in the House of Representatives. And, thanks in part to the efforts of comedian Jon Stewart, the bill has gained key Democrat and Republican support in the Senate. Even Mitch McConnell has implied the bill will come to a vote in the Senate stating, “[M]any things in Congress have [come] at the last minute. We have never failed to address this issue, and we will address it again…we will take care of the 9/11 victims’ compensation fund.”
Passage of Bill Would Reimburse Victims Whose Awards Were Reduced Because of Lack of Funds
For those victims who had their awards reduced due to insufficient funds at the VCF, this bill as written would reverse those reductions and pay the additional funds owed. For those victims who have yet to receive an award, passage of this bill as written, would restore awards to previous levels (e.g., $250,000 for pain and suffering and full economic losses). Please keep in mind that during the legislative process, this bill’s language could change – and those outcomes could look differently when finalized.