He helped pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that provided first responders with the medical coverage they desperately deserved and will continue to advocate for funding on their behalf.
Will continue to advocate for funding for 9/11 first responders.
Occurrences
Evidence
"I also fought to increase funding to address a critical funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program to ensure our 9/11 heroes receive the care they deserve..." and the release says Pallone "fought to include" increasing federal funding for the World Trade Center Health Program in the government funding package.
Public Law 119-75 was enacted on February 3, 2026. GovInfo's World Trade Center Health Program compilation states the Public Health Service Act title for the program is current through P.L. 119-75, enacted February 3, 2026.
The World Trade Center Health Program said it "remains committed to supporting extramural research" and is "actively working" to publish FY2026 funding opportunities, but "the timing of NOFO publication remains uncertain" because the program is awaiting final approvals.
Assessments
The promise was to continue advocating for funding for 9/11 first responders, not necessarily to permanently resolve every future funding issue. Pallone was an active federal officeholder during the relevant period, publicly claimed he fought to include increased World Trade Center Health Program funding in a government funding package, and that package became law as Public Law 119-75 on February 3, 2026. A later CDC update showing FY2026 NOFO timing uncertainty indicates ongoing implementation constraints, but it does not negate the concrete same-term legislative funding result tied to Pallone's advocacy.