Congress Fully Funds World Trade Center Health Program

Senators Gillibrand and Schumer Secure Stable Funding for 9/11 Responders and Survivors

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:15am

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After years of advocacy, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer have secured full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 140,000 9/11 responders and survivors across the country. The updated funding will ensure the program can continue to meet the growing demand as more individuals are diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions.

Why it matters

The WTCHP has faced increasing pressure on its resources as enrollment continues to grow and new illnesses are identified among 9/11 responders and survivors. This full funding commitment ensures that these individuals will continue to receive the care they were promised and deserve, even as the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches.

The details

The WTCHP was established in 2011 as part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and was originally funded for five years at $1.6 billion. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In recent years, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer have led efforts to secure additional funding, including $1 billion in 2022 and $676 million in 2023. The updated funding passed by Congress this year will provide the program with stable, long-term support.

  • The WTCHP was established in 2011 as part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
  • The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090.
  • In 2022, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer secured $1 billion in funding for the WTCHP.
  • In 2023, the senators helped secure an additional $676 million for the program.
  • The updated funding was passed by Congress and is now on its way to the president's desk to be signed into law.

The players

Kirsten Gillibrand

U.S. Senator from New York and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Chuck Schumer

U.S. Senate Minority Leader and senior senator from New York.

World Trade Center Health Program

A federal program that provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 140,000 9/11 responders and survivors across the country.

Benjamin Chevat

Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.

John Feal

9/11 Responder and Advocate.

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What they’re saying

“The World Trade Center Health Program honors our promise to never forget our 9/11 survivors and the first responders who protected our nation in its darkest hour.”

— Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator (oswegocountytoday.com)

“Today, after years of work, we finally deliver on the sacred promise to 'Never Forget' by fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program to ensure the brave first responders & survivors always get the care they deserve.”

— Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Minority Leader (oswegocountytoday.com)

“Senator Gillibrand has continued her tireless efforts on behalf of 9/11 responders and survivors. Since the day she passed the James Zadroga Act, 15 years ago that created the World Trade Center Health Program, that now provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 140,000 9/11 responders and survivors in every state and in 434 out of 435 Congressional Districts, she has never wavered in her determination to protect the program and ensure the services it provides.”

— Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act (oswegocountytoday.com)

“Responders & Survivors will continue to receive treatment and those who will get sick in the future from their toxic exposure will be able to join them. This short lived victory which took over 2 years was only achieved by the commitment & leadership of the NY Delegation and a selective few across the Country who worked closely as partners with a team of Advocates (Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act & the FealGood Foundation) who refused to give up and take no for an answer.”

— John Feal, 9/11 Responder and Advocate (oswegocountytoday.com)

“Tonight's action by the United States Senate is a critical step forward for the heroes of September 11th and their families. The continued funding of the World Trade Center Health Program is not a political issue — it is a moral obligation.”

— Andrew Ansbro, Uniformed Firefighters Association President (oswegocountytoday.com)

What’s next

The legislation passed by Congress is now on its way to the president's desk to be signed into law.

The takeaway

This full funding commitment for the World Trade Center Health Program ensures that 9/11 responders and survivors will continue to receive the critical medical care and monitoring they need, honoring the promise to 'Never Forget' their sacrifice and service to the nation.