Special to the
Opelika Observer
Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) voted last week to pass the Never Forget the Heroes Act to permanently reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which provides compensation for individuals who were injured during the 9/11 attacks or debris removal efforts, and for the families of those killed in the attacks. The fund was set to stop taking new claims in December 2020.
“The heroic first responders who answered the call of duty after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 deserve nothing less than the full support of the United States government,” Jones said. “These men and women are the very definition of American patriots, and our nation will forever owe them a debt of gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice. The permanent extension of this program will ensure that every survivor, first responder, and family member gets the care and compensation they are entitled to.”
The House of Representatives passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act last week. The bill will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Senator Jones had previously cosponsored similar legislation in the Senate to permanently reauthorize this program.
Sec. of Defense Mark Esper
Jones released the following statement on his support for Mark Esper’s confirmation to serve as the next Secretary of Defense last week:
“Dr. Esper is well qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense by virtue of his experience serving in the Army, his numerous positions as a Congressional staffer in both the House and Senate, his experience working in private industry, and his service in various roles at the Pentagon, including most recently as Secretary of the Army. As Secretary of the Army, Dr. Esper has demonstrated a strong commitment to the well-being and preparedness of our troops and has also shown himself to be a man of character, integrity and intelligence.
After months without a confirmed Secretary, Dr. Esper will bring much-needed stability to the Department as it works to fulfill its national security mission and maintain a strong presence in various strategic locations around the world. I believe that he will also uphold the commitment that he made to me to keep the Department of Defense apolitical and to always stand up and give his candid, honest advice to the President and other members of the administration. I’m grateful for all of the assistance that he provided me as Secretary of the Army, and I’m proud to have voted for Dr. Esper’s nomination. I believe he will be an excellent secretary of defense.”