As 9/11 health fund dwindles, lawmakers push to make it permanent

Lawmakers are looking for solutions to address the dwindling money in the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which compensates for deaths and health problems caused by exposure to toxins at the sites of the attacks. The fund — which started with $7.3 billion — has already paid out $5 billion to 21,000 claimants since it launched in 2011. As the fund’s December 2020 expiration date approaches, claims are climbing and resources are diminishing. Late last week, fund officials announced they’ll start cutting pending payouts in half or more as they try to make their way through 19,000 unpaid claims. "I am painfully aware of the inequity of the situation," said fund administrator Rupa Bhattacharyya. 

In response, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said she and Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) will introduce a bipartisan measure to make the fund permanent. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) plans to launch a similar effort in the House.