Dear Senators Schumer and McConnell,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our strong support for S. Amdt. 1065, introduced by Senators Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Michael K. Braun (R-IN). Today, the Senate will consider this amendment to S. 2226, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024,” and we urge the Senate to adopt it.
The amendment partially addresses the projected funding shortfall of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors of the terrorist attacks on the United States on 9/11. The WTCHP provides healthcare services to the more than 122,000 responders and victims of these attacks—including an initial health evaluation, annual monitoring, and treatments.
The legislation would also expand eligibility for the WTCHP to include the 9/11 responders at the sites of the attack on the Pentagon and the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA, as well as active duty military personnel and other civilian Federal employees. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services excludes these victims and responders with their narrow interpretation of current law and this amendment would correct that.
On behalf of the more than 367,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I urge all Members of the Senate to vote in favor of this amendment and fulfill our ongoing obligation to take care of those who bravely and without hesitation put themselves in harm’s way during that fateful day.
If I can provide any additional information in support of this resolution, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President