To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse public employee retirement systems for accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths resulting from the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
- Sponsor
- Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
- Committees
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 14, 2026
Bottom line
H.R. 10361 seeks to provide significant federal financial relief to public employee retirement systems burdened by the long-term health consequences and deaths of 9/11 first responders and recovery workers.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse eligible public employee retirement systems for costs associated with accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths directly resulting from rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. It authorizes an appropriation of $5,913,400,000 for fiscal year 2027 to FEMA for this specific purpose.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill provides essential and long-overdue financial relief to public employee retirement systems that have borne the significant and ongoing costs of caring for 9/11 first responders and recovery workers. They emphasize that these individuals made immense sacrifices, and the federal government has a moral obligation to ensure their retirement systems are not unduly strained by the unique health challenges and deaths directly linked to their service at Ground Zero. This measure ensures the financial stability of these systems, allowing them to continue providing promised benefits without placing additional burdens on local taxpayers or current public employees.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that while acknowledging the sacrifices of 9/11 responders, this bill represents a substantial federal expenditure that could contribute to the national debt, especially without clear offsets. Concerns could be raised about the precedent of federal reimbursement for local retirement system costs, potentially opening the door for similar claims from other disaster-related incidents. There might also be questions about the exact methodology for calculating the $5.9 billion figure and whether it accurately reflects the federal share of responsibility versus state and local obligations.
The bill is extremely short and straightforward, making it very accessible for a quick read and understanding its core purpose.
Section 1(a)(1)
Federal Reimbursement for 9/11-Related Retirement Costs
This provision requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay back public employee retirement systems for money they've spent on accidental disability retirements and accidental deaths. These retirements and deaths must be a direct result of the rescue, recovery, or cleanup work done after the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center site. The goal is to ease the financial strain on these retirement systems.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this reimbursement is a critical recognition of the federal responsibility to those who responded to a national tragedy. It ensures that the financial burdens of their long-term health consequences do not fall disproportionately on local retirement systems or taxpayers, thereby upholding the promise of benefits to these heroes and their families.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that while the cause is sympathetic, federalizing these specific retirement costs sets a precedent that could lead to similar demands for other localized disasters, potentially straining the federal budget. They may also question the precise actuarial basis for the requested reimbursement amount and whether it fully accounts for state and local contributions.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the moral imperative to support 9/11 responders and their retirement systems against concerns about federal budget implications and the precedent of federalizing local pension liabilities.