DALLAS (KRLD) - They are the surviving first responders who so bravely answered the call on Sept. 11, 2001. They are the recovery workers who put in endless hours at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks. They are the cleanup crews who helped pick up the pieces of a nation's shattered soul.
They will never again have to worry about their medical expenses being covered.
In a major victory for those who became ill after doing their duty at the hallowed New York City site after 9/11, the U.S. Senate voted 97-2 Tuesday to make permanent the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
The fund originally was established in 2010. It was renewed in 2015, but was set to run out at the end of 2020. Tuesday's vote extends the fund through 2090, with payouts continuing through Fiscal Year 2092.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) cast the two dissenting votes Tuesday, with each voicing fiscal reasons for their opposition. During debate over the issue, Sen. Paul said, "It has long been my feeling that we need to address our massive debt in this country. We have a $22 trillion debt. We're adding debt at about a trillion dollars a year. And therefore, any new spending that we are approaching, any new program that's going to have the longevity of 70, 80 years should be offset by cutting spending that's less valuable."
Paul and Lee each offered amendments to the bill before Tuesday's final Senate vote, but both amendments were rejected.
The issue of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund was propelled into the national spotlight last month by comedian/activist Jon Stewart. On June 11, the former "Daily Show" host led a group of 9/11 first responders to Capitol Hill, only to find the meeting was sparsely-attended by lawmakers. In his remarks, Stewart was blunt as he spoke for the group of Ground Zero survivors, "Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak...to no one. Shameful. It's an embarrassment to the country, and it's a stain on this institution."
Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas each voted in favor of the bill on Tuesday. After its passage, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said, "All of the first responders, not only those who were here today, but so many, the hundreds, the thousands, who've come down and lobbied for this bill, pushed this bill, forced this bill through, they're the ones who deserve the credit."
President Trump is scheduled to sign the measure on Friday. A group of 9/11 first responders has been invited to the White House ceremony.