"She stood by ground zero workers who sacrificed their health after so many sacrificed their lives and kept standing till this administration took action."
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She's been active on issues for 9/11 workers
In a Clinton campaign ad airing in Iowa and New Hampshire, an announcer says the New York senator has been a strong advocate for workers who responded to the 9/11 attacks. "She stood by ground zero workers who sacrificed their health after so many sacrificed their lives and kept standing till this administration took action," the announcer says.
As you might expect for a senator from the state where the deadliest attack occurred, the record indicates she has been a consistent advocate for workers who responded to the World Trade Center and cleaned up the debris after the two buildings were destroyed.
Soon after the attacks, Clinton and fellow New York Sen. Charles Schumer pushed legislation to aid New York City's recovery. She also has been a proponent of government programs to track the health of workers who were exposed to smoke and dust at the site. The doctors who monitored the workers' health credited Clinton with steering $12-million to a Centers for Disease Control program for that work.
Clinton has testified at hearings on the health status of 9/11 workers, and she has publicly criticized the Environmental Protection Agency for its early statement that the air at the World Trade Center site was safe.
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There is considerable evidence that she has been active on issues to help and protect the workers, so we find her claim to be True.
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Our Sources
2002 Defense Appropriations Act, includes $12-million for health tracking program.
The World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program.
The Albany Times Union, "More 9/11 aid proposed; Schumer, Clinton say New York City will need more help to rebuild," May 23, 2002.
The New York Times, Ironworkers' Job of Clearing Ground Zero Is Over, but the Trauma Lingers, Nov. 11, 2002.
The New York Times, Federal Study Shows High Number of Ground Zero Workers Had Health Problems Last Year, Jan. 28, 2003.
Daily News, "EPA Ripped On Its 9-11 All Clear," March 18, 2003.
The New York Post, "Hill Slams Christie's Blame Game," Sept. 15, 2003.
The Associated Press, Son of Late Ground Zero Worker Makes Health-Care Plea, Feb. 1, 2007.
The New York Times, Bloomberg Urges More Aid for Those Sickened After 9/11, Feb. 14, 2007.
Hillary Clinton Senate Web site, 9/11 Health Effects.
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She's been active on issues for 9/11 workers
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