|
Senator Hillary Clinton was among the lawmakers who discussed the health of World Trade Center site workers at a special House subcommittee hearing in the city Friday. The hearing, which was held just a few blocks away from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, is the fourth by the subcommittee on the issue, this time focusing on the progress made since 9/11. In recent weeks, federal and local officials have released updated health information and allocated millions of dollars to address the lingering health effects of those who worked in the World Trade Center recovery effort. Sen. Clinton says more still needs to be done. "It is not enough. It's not enough to say we stand with our police officers or our firefighters or our iron workers or our laborers or anyone else," said Clinton. "Words at this point, nearly five years later, are really inadequate." Clinton adds that the White House lied about air quality near the Trade Center site and is at fault for so many people getting sick. "We have evidence that the White House edited scientific findings in press releases from the EPA, and basically directed the EPA to tone down any warnings on expressions of concern," said Clinton. Other politicians, including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, pushed for a criminal investigation into the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency after 9/11, and called for severe criminal charges to be brought against the agency, including manslaughter. Friday's Congressional hearing comes a day after Rep. Nadler announced he was introducing the 9/11 Comprehensive Health Benefits Act. That bill would give Medicare health benefits to anyone with illnesses related to their work at the World Trade Center site. It would also create an organization to monitor and research the illnesses, and a federally funded medical center. Clinton plans to introduce a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. In recent weeks, federal and local officials have released updated health information and allocated millions of dollars to address the lingering health effects of those who worked in the World Trade Center recovery effort. Meanwhile, with the five-year anniversary of 9/11 approaching on Monday, the White House has announced the presidentÂ’s plans to mark the occasion. George W. Bush will make a prime-time address from the Oval Office Monday to mark the fifth anniversary. It's expected to begin around 9 p.m. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow says the address will focus on what September 11th has meant and how the country can move ahead. The address will cap off the president's visits to each of the attack sites. On Sunday, he will lay wreaths at the World Trade Center site. For security purposes, PATH trains will not run to and from the site during that time. The Daily News reports Bush and his wife Laura will then head to a prayer service at St. Paul's Chapel. Monday morning, the president is having breakfast with firefighters on the Lower East Side. Several NYPD officers and Port Authority police officers are also invited. From there, the president and First Lady travel to the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, field where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. They will then attend a ceremony at the Pentagon, which was also struck by a hijacked plane on 9/11.
 |
