Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2005

Schumer Questions President: Why Would Administration Remove $125m From 9/11 Worker’s Compensation Fund?

Schumer, Clinton, NY Delegation Incensed Over Administration Deleting Funds Earmarked for Workers Who May Suffer Chronic Disease and Illness from Their Work at the World Trade Center Site

Administration Should Not Go Back on Promise of Full $20 Billion to NY for Devastation of September 11th

Schumer, Delegation Will Continue to Fight for Every Federal Dollar They Can for

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined members of the New York House delegation and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to call on President George W. Bush to re-insert $125 million towards the fund that compensates injured workers at the World Trade Center cleanup site.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, there have been ongoing concerns about injuries and chronic illnesses related to the disaster among the many thousands of individuals who worked or volunteered there. These men and women were exposed to a range of environmental toxins, including cement and glass dust, asbestos, fiberglass, lead and other heavy metals and PCBs. They also sustained significant psychological trauma.

Schumer said, “When the President asked us how much New York needed to get through the tragedy of 9/11 – I said $20 billion. It was clear to us then that the Administration was serious about making that request a reality. But now, it is not quite as clear. I guess my question to the President is simple:

Why would you authorize your Administration to remove $125 million in funds that would go to workers who were injured from their time at the World Trade Center site, if some of the chronic illnesses and health problems may not be evident until years or decades after September 11, 2001?”

“I hope that before the Congress recesses this summer that we will have erased that question from the minds of the workers who are standing here with us today.”

“New York will need far more than $20.8 billion to rebuild Lower Manhattan and take care of all the short- and long-term health affects of the many brave men and women who worked in and around Ground Zero.

“The president and the nation were generous to New York after September 11 and we have spent the money wisely and will continue to do so. And we will continue to fight for every federal dollar we can for New York,” Schumer concluded.

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