In a significant step forward for the renewal of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday agreed to back a permanent extension of its expired health program, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.
But King said “there is still a long way to go” because the Zadroga reauthorization bill must pass out of four key committees. It also must secure agreement from Republican leaders in the House and Senate on a way to pay for it and a path to win congressional approval. The legislation has more than 250 House co-sponsors and 66 Senate co-sponsors — more than needed to pass — but it lacks the backing of the majority of the Republicans in both the House and in the Senate, a hurdle it must overcome.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., Wednesday also asked the House-Senate conference committee working to resolve differences in their versions of the transportation reauthorization bill to attach the Zadroga renewal to that legislation for passage.