09/15/2026
Garbarino, Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reimburse Public Retirement Systems for 9/11-Related Disability and Death Benefits
September 15, 2026
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reimburse public employee retirement systems for costs associated with accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Garbarino and Gillibrand were joined by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), and Dan Goldman (D-NY-10) as co-leads of the legislation.
Twenty-five years after September 11th, thousands of first responders and others who participated in rescue and cleanup operations continue to suffer from illnesses and injuries connected to their service at Ground Zero. As more members of the 9/11 community have developed serious health conditions or lost their lives to 9/11-related illnesses, public employee retirement systems have faced growing costs associated with disability retirement and death benefits.
The legislation would authorize $5.9134 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse eligible public employee retirement systems for those costs. To qualify, a retirement system must include a member who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations resulting from the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Reimbursements would be restricted for use by the eligible retirement systems.
“Twenty-five years after September 11th, New York is still carrying costs from that terrible day, just as responders and their families are still living with its consequences,” said Congressman Garbarino. “The men and women who ran toward danger and spent months working at Ground Zero did so without hesitation. As more of them have become sick or lost their lives because of that work, New York’s public retirement systems have rightfully provided the disability and death benefits they earned. The federal government has a responsibility to help cover the costs directly tied to the attacks. Senator Gillibrand and I are committed to making sure New York and the 9/11 community are not left to shoulder that burden alone.”
"Twenty-five years after the darkest day in our nation's history, we must continue to honor our promise to never forget," said Senator Gillibrand. “The victims of September 11th are not just the men and women killed on that terrible day – countless American lives continue to be claimed by illnesses linked to the attacks. With New York pension systems facing a shortfall as a result, we must act now to ensure those injured and sickened from recovery efforts and the families of our heroes are not worried about receiving every dollar they deserve. I am grateful this bill has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and I will work with my colleagues to get it swiftly passed and signed into law."
"'Never forget' is not just a slogan. It's a promise to stand by our 9/11 heroes and their families for as long as it takes, and that promise includes making sure the pensions they and their families are owed are never shortchanged. Just days after our city marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I'm proud to support this bill so the federal government continues to do its part and support our first responders who rushed to help at our city’s darkest hour," said Senator Schumer.
"New York's pension systems have proudly stood behind the survivors and first responders of the September 11th attacks, especially as they developed illnesses because of their service that day. But that support has come at a steep cost, and it's time for the federal government to help carry the load. I'm proud to co-lead this legislation, which would reimburse New York's pension systems for the costs of supporting our 9/11 heroes. These brave Americans deserve our eternal gratitude, and this bill helps make good on that promise,” said Congressman Dan Goldman.
“Twenty-five years after September 11th, we must continue standing with the first responders and members of the 9/11 community who risked their lives during the rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bipartisan legislation to honor their heroism and sacrifice and ensure they and their families receive the benefits they earned and deserve. We will never forget,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.
“On September 11, 2001, New York City’s bravest and finest ran toward the danger to rescue neighbors and strangers alike. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, thousands more helped clean and rebuild Lower Manhattan. It is our duty to honor the sacrifices of the first responders of 9/11 by making sure these heroes and their families can receive the pensions they earned,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler.
"Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program has been a priority for the union movement, but more work remains. This bipartisan legislation addresses the continued costs of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the New York State and City Pension systems. The federal government must reimburse the State and City for costs related to death and disability payments. Failing to cover these costs unfairly threatens future retirees' pensions. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of Rep. Garbarino, Senator Gillibrand, and the entire New York delegation in ensuring the federal government follows through on its responsibility to cover all costs related to the attacks,” said Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO.
“The recent disclosures from the City of New York show that we are still learning about the full extent of the health effects of the toxic chemicals at Ground Zero. Congressman Garbarino (R-NY) and Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Schumer (D-NY), and their colleagues deserve our thanks for working to introduce bipartisan legislation dealing with the increased costs to the New York pension systems of those who are retiring and some who are dying because of the health effects of 9/11—just part of the continuing costs of that day, both in lives and health impacts, 25 years later,” said Ben Chevat, Executive Director of the Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act.
"25 years after the 9/11 Terror Attacks, New York City still primarily shoulders the responsibility of caring for our fallen brothers and sisters and those forced into early retirement. I thank Senator Gillibrand and Representative Garbarino for fighting to secure the federal funding needed to strengthen the pensions of those who stood on the front lines of public safety that day. This critical legislation will ensure that the costs of 9/11-related deaths and medical retirements will no longer be borne by New York City and State alone. I urge Congress to pass this important legislation as soon as possible,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly.
“The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were an attack upon our nation, and the heroism displayed by New York’s first responders during the rescue and recovery efforts that followed gave all Americans the hope and the strength to rebuild,” said President Vincent Vallelong of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association. “On numerous occasions, Congress has recognized the federal government’s obligation to support these brave men and women through programs such as the World Trade Center Health Program and Victim Compensation Fund. Like those efforts, this legislation recognizes that the extraordinary pension costs resulting from a national terrorist attack are a federal responsibility and will ensure that NYPD officers, retirees, and their families receive the benefits they have earned. We are grateful for the leadership of Rep. Garbarino, Sen. Gillibrand, and their colleagues for introducing this bill, and we urge Congress to swiftly enact it into law.”
The bill requires the FEMA Administrator to reimburse eligible public employee retirement systems for costs related to accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths resulting from participation in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations following the September 11 attacks. It authorizes $5,913,400,000 for Fiscal Year 2027 to carry out the reimbursements.
Garbarino and Gillibrand have consistently worked together on a bipartisan basis to support the 9/11 community and ensure responders and their families receive the benefits and care they have earned.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reimburse public employee retirement systems for costs associated with accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths resulting fro...
