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New York Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand criticized President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for what they called a “cruel” effort to dismantle the World Trade Center Health Program. At a press conference, they revealed that 16 more doctors and staff tied to the program were abruptly fired Friday night.
Schumer, the Senate’s minority leader, argued that the late-night firings of WTCHP nurses, scientists, and administrative officials exposed the Trump administration’s intent to weaken the program, which provides medical treatment and research for over 137,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks.
“Donald Trump and [his Health and Human Services Secretary] RFK revealed their true intentions Friday night when they fired another 16 [workers]. … They seem to do these things late at night on weekends so nobody would know,” Schumer said, standing alongside Gillibrand and 9/11 advocates.
“This political chaos is jeopardizing the healthcare of heroes,” he added.
Schumer shared that he spoke to two long-time WTCHP staffers—a doctor and an intake worker—who were let go in the latest round of cuts. “They did so much to help those who rushed to the Towers, and on Friday night, when they got home, they were told they were fired,” he said.
The WTCHP, established in 2005, is now struggling due to staff reductions, leading to delayed cancer treatments for survivors. “People who are in the middle of being treated for serious cancers are not getting the treatment anymore,” Schumer told reporters.
Mariama James, 53, a program participant who lost both parents to 9/11-related cancer, expressed frustration: “We are being lied to constantly.” She added, “My 23-year-old has worn a heart monitor for the past two weeks. I don’t have time for people to lie to me anymore.” James noted that 800 survivors and first responders were unable to join the program in April due to these issues.
Gillibrand emphasized that the program was built through bipartisan efforts based on scientific evidence linking 9/11 survivors to cancer and lung conditions. “This is not a political issue. It’s about keeping people alive,” she said.
Both lawmakers pledged not to support any federal budget that fails to fully fund the program. Schumer also accused New York House Republicans of being misled by promises of restored funding, urging them to leverage upcoming budget negotiations to reverse the cuts.
“They’ve got to up the ante,” Schumer said. “Do not vote for a budget that doesn’t restore this program.”
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