In a rare move of bipartisan opposition towards President Trump, a group of Congressional Republicans from New York condemned the President’s decision to cut funding for a federal program that provides aid to emergency workers and individuals affected by health issues related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In a letter addressed to Trump, seven Republicans, including five from New York, urged the President to reverse the cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program and reinstate staff members who were recently laid off. This rebuke was in response to the cuts made as part of Elon Musk’s government efficiency initiative, which aims to reduce spending and eliminate jobs across various federal agencies.
Initially, the backlash against the cuts came predominantly from Democratic lawmakers and advocates. However, as it became evident that the impact of the cuts would negatively affect the program’s operation and the care provided to its members, Republican resistance, especially from those representing districts in and around New York City, became more vocal. The reduction in staff members within the World Trade Center Health Program, including the termination of probationary employees who oversee the program, raised concerns about the program’s ability to supervise contracts and effectively care for its members, many of whom were first responders on 9/11.
The World Trade Center Health Program employs 90 staff members, whose numbers were reduced by approximately 20% as a result of the recent firings and buyouts. The program falls under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, which recently underwent layoffs. The Congress members’ letter also highlighted their request for restored funding for essential research conducted by the New York Fire Department to analyze illness incidence rates among their members. They emphasized the critical importance of maintaining this research to definitively link illnesses to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Advocates and those directly affected by the cuts expressed their concerns about the potential delays in enrollment, fewer available staff to address patients’ needs, and the impact on diagnoses and treatments. Anthony Gardner, who handles communications for the program, emphasized the critical nature of the cuts and their potential to be life-threatening for some members. The termination of staff members could result in a shortage of personnel to handle patient complaints and assist with prescription and treatment issues, further straining an already understaffed program.
The World Trade Center Health Program, established in 2011 under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, serves around 137,000 members affected by the 9/11 attacks. The program was created to provide treatment to emergency workers, cleanup crews, and residents in Lower Manhattan exposed to toxins at ground zero, as well as those who were at the crash sites in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. The recent cuts were criticized for potentially exacerbating existing backlogs and causing delays for new entrants seeking assistance.
Efforts to reverse the staff reductions and restore funding for critical research were supported by Congressional Democrats and Republicans, as well as advocacy groups like Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act. The importance of maintaining the World Trade Center Health Program as a lifeline for 9/11 responders and survivors was underscored by Commissioner Robert Tucker of the Fire Department. The letter urging President Trump to reconsider the cuts emphasized the need to ensure that those affected by the 9/11 attacks continue to receive necessary care without disruptions caused by administrative changes.
