OKC Firefighters Lobby In Favor Of 'Zadroga Act'

A government shutdown has been avoided for now. Congress has passed a $1.1 trillion spending package.

Among other things, the omnibus bill contains an agreement to reauthorize the Zadroga Act, which provides health benefits to 9/11 first responders’ and victims' families and now it will do so through 2090.

In an effort to encourage inclusion of this measure, the Oklahoma City Firefighters Union sent members to Washington to lobby in favor of the act.

"Firefighter is very much a brotherhood, so that's why if it's important to them in another state, it's important to us here. Because it was them on 9/11, but it could very easily be us tomorrow or it could be another city in Oklahoma tomorrow," said Chief Benny Fulkerson with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

The spending bill, which funds the government until next October, is now headed to President Obama's desk. He's said he will sign the bill.