Washington, D.C. (July 12, 2019) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today after the U.S. House passed H.R. 1327:

LIUNA commends the U.S. House for passing H.R. 1327, a bipartisan bill which would permanently authorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). If the full Congress does not act soon to adopt the legislation, the VCF will close at the end of 2020 and leave thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors without the compensation they deserve.

 

Tens of thousands of emergency workers, including more than 4,000 LIUNA members heroically joined in the emergency response and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center (WTC) in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001. These workers were exposed to a toxic mix of dust and fumes from the collapsed buildings and fires. Many of these workers now suffer from serious respiratory disease and other health problems.

 

LIUNA has been a strong advocate of the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act,” which extended the VCF for five years. Unfortunately, funds for the program are running out and payments to 9/11 victims may be cut by as much as seventy percent.

 

The victims deserve our nation's support. LIUNA urges the Senate to act quickly on legislation to ensure that survivors will continue to receive health care and compensation.

 

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.