[The Soup Nazi]

From The Washington Post:

Trump's 9/11 starts like any other day — with him mad at something he saw on Fox

The morning of Sept. 11 began like any other. That was true in New York City in 2001, before terrorists struck the World Trade Center. And it was true in Washington in 2018, when President Trump began his day not with a somber remembrance of those killed 17 years prior but with a tweet excoriating the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. [...]

Which brings me to — from Brand New Congress:

Is this how we honor our heroes?

257

That's how many times John Feal has testified before Congress seeking help for first responders and people of the community exposed to dangerous toxins in the clean-up at Ground Zero.

John is a veteran, a 9/11 first responder, a survivor, and a tireless advocate for victims who continue to suffer the effects of that day. John himself is afflicted with asthma and GERD, and struggled with PTSD for years, but he considers himself one of the lucky ones. Others are suffering from multiple, aggressive forms of cancer. Every 3 days, we lose another one.

Since 2004, survivors like John have been lobbying Congress to provide compensation and adequate medical care to address the long-term health impacts of those who worked at Ground Zero, and lived in the surrounding community.

First, our lawmakers told them, "This is a New York problem."

But there were people from 433 Congressional Districts represented in those recovery efforts.

Then, Congress asked them, "How are we going to pay for it?"

...a question they've never asked in the 18 years we've been at war in Afghanistan, or any of the conflicts we've entered since.

Outrageously, some lawmakers even accused Feal and his fellow victims advocates of fabricating their illnesses.

It took six years of relentless lobbying by first responders, many of whom were dying, and their advocates to shame Congress into taking action. The Zadroga Bill was passed in 2010 and the Victims Compensation Fund was established. The bill went through a vicious reauthorization fight in 2015. Now it's set to expire again in 2020.

Unfortunately, the long-term health effects are accelerating, and the fund will run out of money before it can be reauthorized. It's estimated by 2020 the official death toll for the September 11th attacks will more than double once all affected by the Ground Zero clean-up are counted. Today, more than 10,000 survivors registered with the VCF have a government-certified 9/11-related cancer. Over 40% of VCF registrants have three or more illnesses.

Every year, like clockwork, our politicians somberly acknowledge the terrible events of that day, telling us to "Never forget."

But when their efforts are truly needed many are, at best, absent or worse, fighting against the commitment we made as a nation.

Where is their sense of duty? Where is their honor?

And if they won't stand up for the survivors of 9/11, how can we expect them to stand up for the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet every day? How can we expect them to support our citizens in Puerto Rico, still struggling to rebuild the island one year after Hurricane María? Or the working poor left homeless after Hurricane Harvey? Or the millions of Americans financially devastated by the Great Recession?

If we can't count on Congress to step up and do their duty for our most venerated heroes, we can't expect them to look out for any of us.

On days like this, we pause to reflect on this long, difficult, necessary path before us, and remember why we're doing this. This is some of the hardest work any of us have ever undertaken, but we believe the only way to have a Congress that truly works for all of us is to elect an entirely new one, unburdened by financial dependence on the super rich and special interests, and committed to what all Americans want.

Healthcare for all. Opportunities for a debt-free education. The chance to learn a new trade, launch a new business — or simply to earn an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.

We need to fill the halls of Congress with advocates and champions, allies and activists, whistleblowers and working class heroes. We need a Congress who will fight for our first responders, and for all of us. We need a Congress humble enough to serve, and dedicated to their duty to the nation.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

In solidarity,

Isra Allison, Executive Director

Brand New Congress

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