The head of the nation’s largest firefighters union is calling on the Trump administration to back a bill that would grant additional funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund until 2090.
Harold Schaitberger, who is general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), said Thursday that even though the bill boasts strong bipartisan support in Congress it could use more help from the White House.
“Quite honestly, it would also be helpful if the administration would kind of weigh in and I haven’t really seen any specific indication from them on where they stand,” Schaitberger told Hill.TV on “Rising.”
“I do find it interesting that with the president and an administration that does offer their strong support for law enforcement, first responders on a bill that’s so critically important, we haven’t seen any indication of that support at least at this time,” he added.
Schaitberger went on to praise comedian Jon Stewart for his testimony on Tuesday, where the comedian rebuked lawmakers for failing to to attend a hearing about the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
“John has been such a strong advocate on behalf of this issue,” Schaitberger told Hill.TV. “He’s really stood with first responders, firefighters, our members, law enforcement, port authority.”
A day after Stewart’s emotional plea, a House committee voted to extend the 9/11 fund through 2090. The fund covers the medical costs of first responders, volunteers and survivors who are suffering from the illness related to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
The bill is expected to go to the floor for consideration by the full House, kicking the issue to the Senate.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said that he has been “begging” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to hold a vote on the legislation.
“As soon as the House passes this bill, it should be on the floor of the Senate immediately — as a stand-alone bill,” Schumer said from the Senate floor on Wednesday.
—Tess Bonn
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