Press Releases

Earlier this week, the text of the negotiated year-end Continuing Resolution (CR) was released including a solution to the longstanding funding shortfall impacting the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) negotiated by Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) with House and Senate leadership. The CR was later pulled from consideration before receiving a floor vote in either Chamber. 

Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) joined his colleagues Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY-04), and Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ-07) in releasing the following statement:

“The widespread, bipartisan, and bicameral support for preventing impending cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) remains unwavering. 

The successful inclusion of the provision to fix the WTCHP funding formula and address its funding shortfall in the CR—with strong support from Speaker Mike Johnson, Northeast Republicans, and Democratic leaders like Senators Gillibrand and Schumer—underscores the popularity and viability of a long-term fix for the program. Despite the temporary setback posed by funding negotiations, we are steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding this vital program for the 9/11 responders and survivors from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville crash site who depend on it. 

The failure of the CR due to unrelated provisions does not alter our ultimate goal or diminish our resolve. We remain confident in our ability to secure a path forward.”

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.