Malliotakis Applauds Passage of Bill to Equitably Compensate 9/11 Widows & Children
Bill language written by Malliotakis was first introduced in August then reintroduced by Nadler this week
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today applauded the passage of H.R.8987, the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act, legislation that allows for the United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST) to equally compensate widows and dependent children of individuals killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The language of H.R.8987 was first introduced by Malliotakis on August 5 under H.R.8667, after months of work with 9/11 victims groups and members on both sides of the aisle. The bill was then reintroduced by Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY-08) this week and passed the House this afternoon with broad bipartisan support.
"Although 21 years have passed, the pain we experienced on September 11, 2001, while terrorists unleashed deadly and calculated destruction across our country has not faded," Malliotakis said. "5,364 individuals who lost loved ones on that fateful day have fought for 21 years for their entitled compensation under the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund after being wrongfully excluded. Today the House finally took a step to correct this solemn wrong and provide our 9/11 widows, widowers and children with the redress they deserve. I thank the widows and children from Kids who Lost Parents on 9/11 Fight for Equality, Chairman Nadler and Ranker Jim Jordan for helping get this done."
"The voices of the heroes lost on 9/11 were heard through their children as they advocated alongside amazing Champions on the hill," said Angela Mistrulli, Founder of Kids who Lost Parents on September 11, 2001 Fight for Equality. "I would like to personally thank Rep. Malliotakis for her determination to stand with the widows and children."
The USVSST was established in 2015 to compensate people injured in acts of international state-sponsored terrorism. Between 2017 and 2020, $3.3 billion in payments were made through the fund, however, certain 9/11 spouses, and dependents only became eligible for the fund in 2019 and were left out of the fund’s first two payments. The group initially excluded has received less than .01 percent of their allocated payments, while other groups in the USVSST have received millions of dollars.
To learn more about the USVSST, click HERE.