Above: Gottheimer visiting the Wyckoff, NJ 9/11 memorial alongside first responders, local leaders, and community members.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, September 30, 2022, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer helped pass the bipartisan “Fairness for 9/11 Families Act” to increase compensation payments to thousands of 9/11 victims, spouses, and their dependents who were excluded from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund when it was first established in 2015.

“Today’s success is a testament to how Congress can come together from both sides of the aisle to never forget those we lost on 9/11 and to provide much needed support to those who continue to live with immense pain and grief,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “While this is a critical step to ensure that those who suffered unimaginable loss receive the resources they deserve, Congress still has more work to do. We must continue to fight for legislation that ensures the World Trade Center Health Program has the necessary investment it needs to adequately provide care to thousands of first responders and survivors exposed to toxins at Ground Zero.”  

On 9/11, New Jersey lost 750 lives, including 147 Bergen County residents, 30 Passaic County residents, 4 Warren County residents, and 3 Sussex County residents.

More than 2,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died since 9/11 from the toxic exposure. 

Gottheimer has urged House leadership to immediately address the projected funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program. He is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act.

Gottheimer also helped pass the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, which was signed into law in 2019 to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors’ and first responders’ injuries, lost earnings, benefits, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Co-Chaired by Gottheimer, also endorsed the bill and urged swift passage with bipartisan support. 

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