In 2010, many thought a program similar to the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund was doomed until an unlikely senator stepped in.

Talking Points Memo reports that in late 2010, the House of Representatives was weeks away from flipping from Democratic control to Republican control. The impending threat of a Republican-promised filibuster packed Congress with issues such as repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, determining the fate of the DREAM Act, and extending Bush tax cuts.

With so many big issues facing the government, many thought that there was no time to address the bill that would later become the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. However, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was then new to the Senate, helped push the bill to the end.

“She was absolutely instrumental. Without her, this would never have passed the Senate. It wouldn’t have gotten done,” said 9/11 Health Watch President Ben Chevat, speaking to TPM. Chevat served as Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s chief of staff while the bill was being slowly pushed through Congress.

September 11 advocates have also praised Gillibrand’s efforts in passing the bill, which may add to her voter appeal as the fights for the 2020 Democratic nomination.

“I thought she was just fly by night […] and then I saw her starting to work. She’s a master,” advocate John Feal told TPM. “I’ve met everyone, and there’s probably like five people I actually like and trust on both sides of the aisle, and you can feel the goodness in her. […] She’s got bigger Abe Lincolns than 99 percent of the men in D.C.”

Compensation Act

Eventually, on Jan. 2, 2011, after years of work by politicians, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The law was named after James Zadroga, a NYPD detective that died due to illnesses related to his exposure to toxic chemicals at Ground Zero after 9/11.

“I have always said that democracy only works when people stand up and demand it. There is no better example than the 9/11 health bill,” Gillibrand said in a statement to TPM. “It’s heartbreaking that sick and dying heroes had to fight tooth and nail for basic decency and it was an honor to fight by their side.”

Like the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was established to benefit individuals affected by the infamous terrorist attacks. However, unlike the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund which provides financial compensation for victims of the attacks, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act created the World Trade Center Health Program.

The World Trade Center Health Program focuses specifically on treatment services and medical benefits for first responders and survivors of the terrorist attacks. This program replaced the Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the WTC Environmental Health Center program.

In October 2015, the Zadroga Act expired after providing years of benefits. Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, who has repeatedly pushed for laws and programs to take care of 9/11 victims, went to Congress after the Act expired and campaigned for its reauthorization. In December 2015, Stewart and first responders won their fight when the act was reauthorized and extended for 75 years.