Republican candidate Mike Rogers is under renewed scrutiny for his legislative record on healthcare and benefits for 9/11 first responders, while he simultaneously criticizes his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, regarding past comments about the September 11 attacks. Rogers has pointed to older social media posts by El-Sayed, suggesting they reflect sympathy for the attacks—a claim disputed by critics. However, Rogers’ own record includes a vote against the 2010 James Zadroga Act, which provided healthcare and monitoring for responders and survivors affected by toxic exposure at Ground Zero.
Rogers justified his opposition to the Zadroga Act by arguing it posed a financial threat to the country, but the legislation ultimately passed in the House with significant opposition from Rogers and his fellow Republicans. Furthermore, in 2002, Rogers voted against additional funding for veterans’ healthcare and first responders, which was part of a bill addressing the financial repercussions of 9/11 on New York schools. His voting record also shows resistance to various proposals for funding, pensions, and additional benefits aimed at first responders in the following years.
John Feal, a 9/11 responder and advocate for related healthcare benefits, criticized Rogers’ stance, labeling his opposition as a betrayal. Feal noted he had direct conversations with Rogers about the Zadroga legislation during its congressional consideration. These criticisms emerge as Rogers and El-Sayed engage in a highly competitive race for Michigan’s open Senate seat, a contest that could influence the balance of power in Congress.
Adding to the controversy, Rogers recently claimed in a campaign email that he had personally viewed Osama bin Laden’s body following the U.S. raid in Pakistan. However, Rogers was neither present in Pakistan during the operation nor in the White House Situation Room, where senior officials observed the raid. This claim has also attracted scrutiny as the Senate race intensifies.
