Obama comes out in favor of 9/11 health bill

By Samuel Goldsmith and Richard Sisk
DAILY NEWS

WASHINGTON — In a breakthrough for first responders, President Obama broke his silence on the Zadroga bill Wednesday and backed the uphill drive to get the legislation through Congress.

A statment from the White House said that "The President looks forward to signing the 9/11 health bill into law, once it passes both houses of Congress, to help the first responders whose health and livelihood were devastated by the events of Sept. 11."

Elated first responders said it was the first show of support from Obama since the presidential campaign and boosted the chances for bringing the bill to another vote in the House next month. A previous effort failed late last month.

Obama's statement came a day after he was slammed in a letter by John Feal, head of a first responder advocacy group, that was featured in the Daily News. "Why have you failed us? We thought you were our champion," Feal wrote.

"It was The Daily News that got this done," Feal said of Obama's backing. "We're very encouraged. I think it's great that he (Obama) says he'll help," Feal said, "but will he actively push both houses (of Congress) to pass our bill? We'll see."

The proposed $7.4 billion named for the late Det. James Zadroga would provide health care and compensation for the thousands suffering from a wide range of illnesses they attriute to working at Ground Zero after the attacks.

"I'm glad to hear it," Joseph Zadroga, the father of James Zadroga, said of Obama's support. "He (Obama) originally said he was going to support it before he got elected and then we never heard anything about it again."

"Now we need to get Congress to do their part and we're ready to go," Zadroga said.