Statement of New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on Announcement of Cuts to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Albany - “Today's announcement by the Special Master that the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) will be forced to cut awards due to insufficient funding is a punch in the gut to 9/11 responders and survivors, and it’s Congress's job to fix this tragic and unacceptable crisis.  Today's announced cuts only intensify our call on our government to never forget the 9/11 heroes and their families by fully funding and making permanent the Victim Compensation Fund.

We stood together as a nation on that horrific day, and shortly after we declared as a country that we would never forget. This critically important program was promised to these brave men and women fighting 9/11 related cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. It’s time for Congress to pass this bipartisan bill to ensure responders, survivors and their families get the support they so rightly deserve.”

###

The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 unions, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families with one goal; to raise the standard of living and quality of life of all working people. We keep New York State Union Strong by fighting for better wages, better benefits and better working conditions. For more information on the Labor Movement in New York, visit nysaflcio.org.