Chronological coverage updated 11th September 2026 20:58.
Update 1 · 11th September 2026
Senate Candidate Mike Rogers Faces Scrutiny Over Past Votes on 9/11 First Responder Benefits
Congressional voting records show that Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for Michigan's open US Senate seat, repeatedly voted against federal healthcare benefits and funding for September 11 first responders and survivors during his tenure in the House of Representatives. The revelation comes amid tight polling in a race that could determine control of the Senate.
The 2010 James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act provided $5.1 billion to treat and monitor more than 40,000 individuals exposed to toxic materials at Ground Zero..
In 2010, Rogers joined 156 House Republicans in voting against the James Zadroga Act, arguing during committee debates that the $5.1 billion package threatened the nation's financial health. Rogers also voted in 2002 against additional healthcare funding for veterans and responders, supported budget legislation in 2011 cutting local emergency grants, and voted against proposals protecting first responder pensions in 2013.
Advocate Backlash and Campaign Dispute
The Guardian reportedly quoted John Feal (9/11 first responder and legislative advocate) as saying: “Here’s the thing: Republicans like Mike Rogers love cops and firefighters until one gets shot or burned in a fire and can’t do his job”.
John Feal, a ground zero worker who spent weeks hospitalized following the attacks, described Rogers' opposition to medical assistance as a betrayal. Feal recounted testifying before Congress and speaking directly with Rogers, who questioned where funding for New York emergency workers should originate.
The focus on Rogers' legislative record follows a fundraising email sent by his campaign criticizing Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed over past online comments regarding 9/11. In the same email, Rogers claimed he personally viewed Osama bin Laden's body, despite not being present in Pakistan or the White House Situation Room during the 2011 raid. The Rogers campaign defended its focus on El-Sayed, arguing that discussion of opponent associates was relevant to voters.
- Mike Rogers voted against the $5.1 billion James Zadroga Act and multiple other first responder funding measures.
- Ground zero advocates labeled Rogers' fiscal arguments against responder healthcare a betrayal.
- The voting record emerged as Rogers attacked Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed over 9/11 rhetoric.
