The institute for health metrics and evaluation, University in Seattle, Washington

President Donald Trump on Monday signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill into law to provide health care facilities to the police officers, firefighters and other first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.The President was joined by more than 200 individuals affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including more than 60 first responders, at the White House Rose Garden ceremony, CNN reported."Today we come together as one nation to support our September 11th heroes to care for their families and to renew our eternal vow -- never ever forget," Trump said, calling the fund's extension "a sacred duty"."The love and loyalty of our 9/11 responders knew no bounds. They answered terror with the emotional strength of true American warriors," he added.Trump told the crowd of 9/11 first responders and their families that he was also at Ground Zero in the wake of the terror attacks, though he said he does not consider himself to be a first responder."I was down there also, but I'm not considering myself a first responder," Trump said."But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you," he added.Trump's signature marked the end of a 15-year fight to get the government to permanently pay claims to first responders and other victims who were sickened by the toxic fumes in the days and weeks following the September 11 terror attacks.It came after powerful testimony in mid-June from first responder Luis Alvarez, an NYPD detective who contracted cancer.Alvarez came to Washington before his 69th round of chemotherapy and spoke at a poorly attended congressional hearing, leading to former "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart's viral shaming of lawmakers that upped public support for the bill.Alvarez died in late June but gave his police badge to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, inspiring the Kentucky Republican to commit to passing the bill by August.The bill cleared the House of Representatives on July 12, The New York Post reported.The extension of the fund will ensure compensation for individuals injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and in their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions.The fund was slated to expire in 2020. But the newly signed legislation ensures the compensation for victims through 2090.The Congressional Budget Office estimates the fund's extension will cost about USD 10 billion over the next decade.However, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Senator Mike Lee of Utah were the only senators to vote against the bill.( With inputs from ANI )

The Institute For Health Metrics And EvaluationFOLLOW

The institute for health metrics and evaluation, Latest News

A US delegation will reach Islamabad on Monday for talks with Pakistani officials, as the Afghan peace process intensifies and could lead to a presidential visit to the region, if it succeeds, a media report said on Sunday. ...

Russia has hit out at the US for scrapping an arms control agreement, saying Washington "intentionally" plunged the bilateral Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty into a crisis, as it wanted to "free itself from the existing restrictions". ...

The US on Friday officially withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty it signed with Russia during the Cold War and invited China to be a part of a new arms control pact, which may include other countries with powerful military ...

The US is set to formally withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia, raising fears of a new arms race. ...

Iran's President Hassan Rouh on Thursday said that the United States's decision to impose sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif implies that Washington is 'afraid' of the top diplomat. ...

The US government on Wednesday sanctioned Iran's foreign minister for being the "regime's primary spokesperson around the world," a step that promises to fuel further tension with the Islamic Republic. ...

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic is determined to suspend more of its commitments under a 2015 landmark nuclear deal if the European signatories fail to uphold their end of the deal, state TV r ...

President Donald Trump on Monday signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill into law to provide health care facilities to the police officers, firefighters and other first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. ...