Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), an author and a lead sponsor of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, issued the following statement on funding for 9/11 first responders and community members proposed in President Obama’s FY2011 federal budget:

“I applaud President Obama’s decision to increase appropriations from $70 million to $150 million for health care for the first responders and community members sickened in the aftermath of 9/11. This significant increase will be of great benefit to those responders and area residents, workers and students who are in need of treatment and monitoring for 9/11-related illnesses. But, the President and the Congress must do more and commit to supporting the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which will provide a steady stream of federally mandated funding for the World Trade Center health program.

“Without that commitment for mandated funding, we will be back to the appropriations process each year to fight for essential funding for thousands of responders and community members who are sick, or will become sick, as a result of a terrorist attack against our nation. The survivors of 9/11’s toxic fallout have waited long enough to receive the health care they deserve. I will continue to work with the legislation’s other lead sponsors – Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Peter King and Congressman Mike McMahon – until the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is signed into law.”