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by DEVLIN BARRETT
WASHINGTON -- New York City fire officials came to Congress Thursday to urge lawmakers not to take back $125 million in Sept. 11 aid money, saying the money is still desperately needed to help treat thousands of sick ground zero workers.
New York Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, and police and fire officials visited the offices of key House lawmakers hoping to convince them not to rescind the aid meant to cover workers compensation claims.
City officials and New York lawmakers argue the money should remain in New York and be spent on the long-term health problems suffered by people who worked at ground zero.
"The FDNY suffered a terrible wound, that wound is still open, it has not healed, and it's going to take a long time," said Chief Peter Hayden, who ran the department's response to World Trade Center Tower 1.
After the 2001 terror attacks, President Bush pledged $20 billion in aid to help rebuild New York. The administration's 2006 budget recommended taking back the $125 million, because the state had yet to spend it.
New York officials argue slow-developing illnesses, primarily lung ailments and mental health issues, will lead to many millions of dollars of claims in future years.
"We know people suffer, I see them all the time," said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. "They deserve this help, they've earned this help, and the money is for them."
More than 13,000 firefighters have received some form of treatment since the attacks, Scoppetta said.
The group of city officials, union leaders, and rescue personnel spent the day meeting with House leaders, hoping to convince them to let New York keep the money.
The House version of a health appropriations bill calls for the money to be returned to Washington. The Senate voted not to take it back.
New Yorkers hope they can persuade House members to adopt the Senate's position in negotiations between the two chambers to find a compromise version of the spending bill.
"This is our money, this is money that was allocated by previous congresses and the White House for a very noble important purpose. We will not let them take it away from us," said Sen. Charles Schumer,
D-N.Y.
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