Congress needs to meet this Sept. 11 obligation

Just days after members of Congress across the country commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, they have an opportunity to show how much they care for first
  responders and their families.

But with the midterms approaching, it unfortunately will have to wait until lawmakers’ return to Washington.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation in the House and Senate to authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse public employee retirement systems for mounting costs. They’re seeking $5.9 billion to cover accidental disability retirements and deaths resulting from 9/11, costs now borne primarily by New York State and New York City’s pension systems.

The federal government has a clear and unquestionable responsibility to our first responders and others who were impacted by the attacks. This bill for the increased costs goes to the feds.

Initially, in 2002, FEMA provided $290 million for death benefit costs for the firefighters, police officers and other first responders who died in the attacks. But pension expenses have grown dramatically since, especially as thousands of first responders have fallen ill due to the toxic, pulverized dust they breathed in the days, weeks and months following Sept. 11. Thousands have died, and many more have been forced to retire due to their disabilities. Failure to meet this obligation threatens the benefits of all future retirees in the pension system and eventually could pass the cost onto New York taxpayers.

The new FEMA request is appropriately specific, covering retirement systems with members who were involved in rescue, recovery or cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center. And Garbarino and Gillibrand aren’t alone in supporting the request. Eleven other New York congressional representatives have signed on to the House version, including Reps. Nick LaLota, Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has joined the cause, too.

Every member of Congress who last week took a moment to remember 9/11, stand for bell-ringing and moments of silence, or post thoughtful notes and memes to their social media, should stand with our first responders now. Since the members of the House left Washington until after the midterms, it’s up to both houses to return for a lame duck session to take care of this critical piece of legislation. If for some reason they don’t do that, the new Congress must pick up the bill in January and carry it forward and deliver it to President Donald Trump — a New Yorker himself who paid tribute to the terror attacks last week — to sign.

Twenty-five years ago, our elected officials and others in federal, state and local governments knew the air was toxic. They knew people likely would get sick. Now, our first responders are paying an enormous price with their health and their lives. The least Congress can do is to agree to pay back the quantifiable costs — in their healthcare, their victim compensation and, yes, their pension benefits.

To all who promised last week to “never forget,” you now have a chance to turn those words into actions.