Garbarino and NY Congressional Delegation Lead Effort to Secure Lifetime Funding for World Trade Center Health Program

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02) announced that the FY 2026 appropriations minibus package includes full funding for 9/11 health care through the program's lifetime, ensuring certainty of continued care for 9/11 responders and survivors.

"New Yorkers will never forget September 11th, 2001, and we have a responsibility to match our words with action," said Congressman Garbarino."Responders and survivors must always receive the care they were promised without delays or disruption. Since the day I was first elected to Congress, I have worked to keep that promise. That's why I have been focused on ensuring the World Trade Center Health Program is fully funded through its entirety. Today, the House passed an appropriations package,which includes language from my bill. This provision makes corrections to the funding formula to deliver full funding for the program through its lifetime. Funding certainty matters. It ensures the program can operate as intended and that those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses can focus on their health, not bureaucracy."

Advocates for 9/11 responders and survivors emphasized the significance of the funding correction and the bipartisan effort behind its passage.

"It is clear Congressman Garbarino's determination on getting the funding for the World Trade Center Health Program fixed and preventing any cuts in services was crucial to getting this done. Working in a bipartisan effort with Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, he has worked on this issue tirelessly since he got to Congress and this wouldn't have happened without his leadership," said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.

Congressman Garbarino expressed gratitude to members of the NY delegation from both sides of the aisle for their support and advocacy on behalf of the program, including the co-lead of the bill, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

New York's Congressional delegation emphasized the importance of protecting 9/11 health care and ensuring reliable, uninterrupted support for those suffering from 9/11-related conditions.

"I had just returned from my first deployment on September 11th, and like so many Americans, that day is seared into my memory. We will never forget the lives lost, the families forever changed, or the responders and survivors who continue to carry the physical and emotional scars of that day more than two decades later. I know countless New Yorkers who are still living with the health consequences of 9/11, and ensuring they receive the care they were promised is the least we can do. I'm grateful to Congressman Garbarino for his leadership on this issue, and as the only Republican Appropriator from New York, I appreciate my Appropriations colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognizing the urgency and necessity of fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program through its lifetime. This funding provides certainty, dignity, and peace of mind to the heroes and survivors who have already sacrificed so much," said Congressman Nick LaLota.

"September 11 changed our country forever. The first responders, survivors, and families affected by that day continue to live with the consequences," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Congress made a promise to provide long-term care, and that promise must be kept. The World Trade Center Health Program delivers essential services, but outdated funding formulas have not kept pace with rising medical costs. This legislation corrects WTCHP funding moving forward to reflect the true cost of care and ensures continued access to medical services, including mental health services, for those who continue to suffer the effects of that day."

"I am grateful that vital funding will be included in the final appropriations package that directly supports our 9/11 responders and survivors. I have seen firsthand the critical work being done by the World Trade Center Health Program, and I am proud to support the dedicated staff who ensure that these heroes and their families receive the care and support they deserve," said Rep. Mike Lawler.

"Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11. For almost 25 years, we have tried to honor the survivors and first responders who rushed into danger-but it will never be enough," said Congressman Suozzi. "Many continue to suffer lasting health consequences, and Congress has a responsibility to deliver the care these heroes were promised. I'm grateful to the bipartisan Members of the New York delegation for putting politics aside to get this done. When it comes to 9/11, there aren't Democrats or Republicans- only Americans."

"Today, we are honoring our promise to never forget the darkest day in our nation's history," said Rep. Goldman. "This legislation ensures that 9/11 survivors and first responders will have the peace of mind of knowing with certainty that they will get the health care they need and are owed for years to come. I have fought for years to get this program fully funded, and I am proud to finally be delivering for our heroes."

"Tens of thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors, including nearly 7,000 of my constituents in New York's Fourth Congressional District, depend on the World Trade Center Health Program," said Rep. Gillen. "Since taking office, I promised these heroes and survivors that I would never give up the fight to preserve this program. That's why I fought to fully fund it through its entirety, ensuring they continue to receive the care they need and deserve. FDNY, NYPD and the thousands of emergency personnel who answered the call on one of the darkest days in our nation's history deserve nothing less than our unwavering support and commitment."

"I am proud to stand with my New York colleagues to ensure the World Trade Center Health Program remains fully funded in this final round of appropriations, guaranteeing continued support for 9/11 responders and survivors. 25 years after this horrific terrorist attack, we are still losing first responders to 9/11 related illnesses on a regular basis. We will always stand up for these heroes and survivors to ensure they have access to the care they need and deserve," said Rep. Malliotakis.

"For some Americans, September 11th may feel like a distant memory or something they've only read about in history books, but for our first responders and recovery workers battling 9/11-related illnesses, it's something they live with every single day," said Congressman Nick Langworthy. "These heroes ran toward danger after the worst attack on American soil in our nation's history, and many are still paying the price because of toxic exposure at Ground Zero. Ensuring they receive the health care they deserve is not optional - it is the least we can do, and it is Congress's obligation to stand by those who selflessly responded during our nation's darkest hour."

"It's been almost 25 years since the 9/11 attacks and New York's heroic first responders and survivors still carry with them the burden of that day as they develop chronic conditions and diseases related to the air around Ground Zero. We promised to Never Forget 9/11 and that means taking care of all first responders and survivors of that day. The World Trade Center Health Program is finally receiving much needed funding to do just that. As more and more survivors in New York and across the country discover they have illnesses and diseases related to the 9/11 attacks, this funding will provide a stable path to help them get treated. I am proud to have helped create this permanent program to provide for our brave survivors for generations to come. During this difficult time, I am grateful to see Congress come together to accomplish this once again," said Rep. Nadler.

Background

Rep. Garbarino has led the effort to fund the WTCHP in the House since coming to Congress in 2021. He and Senator Gillibrand are the lead sponsors of the9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act, which served as the basis for the new funding formula. Together, they have secured critical funding and program improvements, including addressing the funding shortfall, delaying program cuts, and expanding eligibility to 9/11 responders, including the funding formula fix in the 2024 year-end spending legislation, along with funding secured in previous years. Rep. Garbarino has helped secure the equivalent of at least $2.361 billion for the program on behalf of 9/11 responders and survivors.

About The WTCHP

Congress established the WTCHP on a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a five-year authorization to provide medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. The program covers the lifespans of all exposed individuals, including first responders, survivors of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville crash site, children who attended schools in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and during the clean-up, and those who have since developed, or are expected to develop, adverse health effects linked to the attacks.

The WTCHP was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. Today, the program provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 140,000 responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville, PA crash site, representing every state and nearly all Congressional Districts.