The US Senate approved almost unanimously on Tuesday the extension of the compensation fund for the victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001, including many firefighters, police officers and other rescuers who became ill after taking part in the search and clearing operations in New York. York.
A bill to extend the mandate of the Victim Compensation Fund until 2090 garnered 97 votes in favor and 2 against. Already approved by the House of Representatives, it still has to be ratified by President Donald Trump. His signature, expected, will close a painful chapter for the survivors of 9/11 and relatives of victims, forced to regularly come to Congress to claim the renewal of the compensation fund, about to dry up.
A measure that brings together Democrats and Republicans
The cause was notably defended by former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who, along with rescuers, delivered a poignant plea to US parliamentarians in June. "Congress will never be able to repair the sacrifices of these men, women and their families, but we can modestly play our role in compensating our heroes," said Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
His Democratic counterpart Chuck Schumer, elected from New York, welcomed the Upper House vote as "a relief" for the collateral victims of the 9/11 attacks. "I thank the Congress for recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of the 200 firefighters in New York who have died since 9/11, and thousands of others who are still fighting the disease today," responded in a statement. Daniel Nigro, Fire Chief of New York.
The 9/11 attacks directly killed nearly 3,000 people - mostly in Manhattan in the collapse of the World Trade Center's twin towers - and more than 6,000 were injured. But thousands of other people then suffered from diseases, including cancer, sometimes related to toxic fumes that covered the Wall Street district several weeks after the attacks.