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9/11 First Responders, Lawmakers Celebrate Extension Of Zadroga Act

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Lawmakers and survivors of the Sept. 11 terror attacks rallied Saturday at the World Trade Center in celebration of permanent funding for the Zadroga Act.

The Zadroga Act extension was included in Congress' year-end spending bill that was passed on Friday. It extends funding for the health program until 2090.

"But that ends today: that cloud of uncertainty, the anxiety. It ends when 9/11 responders and survivors and people of lower Manhattan can rest knowing that they have permanent health care. My God, what a beautiful, beautiful word," said first responder and activist John Feal.

"It means when someone who rushed to the towers tomorrow morning has a cough or a bad feeling in their stomach and they think, 'God forbid I got it,' they know they'll be taken care of," said Sen. Charles Schumer.

The legislation also pays an additional $4.6 billion into a compensation fund for victims and extends it for five years.

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