Deal Reached On 9/11 Health Care Bill

After months of negotiations, painful years of waiting and tense final hours, will be passed in the Senate, New York's congressional delegation announced.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement on Wednesday that after negotiating with Republicans, proponents of the bill that will create a $6 billion fund for Sept. 11 first responders had reached an agreement.

"The Christmas Miracle we've been looking for has arrived. Over the last 24 hours, our Republican colleagues have negotiated in good-faith to forge a workable final package that will protect the health of the men and women who selflessly answered our nation's call in her hour of greatest need," Gillibrand said in a statement.

In recent days, more and more politicians and dominant figures in the history of the attacks have come out in favor of the bill's passage.

"Today I proudly joined my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in passing the Senate agreement on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. (H.R. 847) that will provide $4.3 billion in funding to cover the cost of medical care for those brave Americans who responded to the catastrophe that struck our nation on September 11, 2001," said Congressman Ed Towns who represents the 10th district, which includes Bed-Stuy.

The bill, which passed the House of Representatives in September, will have to go back to the lower chamber of Congress to reconcile some changes before it can be moved to the presidents desk for a signature.

"I would like to thank the New York delegation for their relentless efforts in pushing the Senate to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation bill today," said New York Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. "This was the right thing to do for all first responders who continue to suffer for their service to our city and country in the aftermath of 9/11."

"I commend our outstanding Democratic Senators from the State of New York—Senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand—for their dogged leadership in working out a bipartisan compromise in the Senate," said Towns. "Although it comes nine years after the tragic events of 9/11, it is right on time to provide comfort and relief to these workers and their families as we approach the holiday season."