Mike Rogers, a Republican running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, has faced criticism over his past voting record on legislation related to benefits for 9/11 first responders and survivors. Recently, Rogers has pointed to old tweets from his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, which referenced 9/11, and falsely claimed El-Sayed suggested the U.S. deserved the attack. Critics argue that Rogers’ opposition to benefits for first responders undermines his credibility on this issue, especially as he highlights El-Sayed’s comments. Congressional records show that Rogers voted against the 2010 James Zadroga Act, which provided healthcare for 9/11 first responders and survivors. The law helped treat and monitor 40,000 people exposed to toxic conditions at Ground Zero, including those suffering from over 50 types of cancer linked to the exposure. Rogers argued the bill would “jeopardize the financial health of the United States,” and was joined by 156 other Republicans who opposed the $5.1 billion cost, though 17 GOP members supported it. The bill passed the House despite his vote. John Feal, a 9/11 first responder who spent 11 weeks in the hospital after being injured at Ground Zero, criticized Rogers for his opposition to the Zadroga Act. Feal recalled that during a committee debate, Rogers referred to first responders’ health issues as a “New York problem” and questioned where the money for their care would come from. Feal called Rogers’ stance “a betrayal” and said Republicans like him “love cops and firefighters until one gets shot or burned in a fire and can't do his job.” Rogers also voted against additional funding for veterans’ healthcare and first responders in a 2002 bill that compensated NYC schools for 9/11-related expenses. In 2011, he supported a homeland security appropriations bill that included deep cuts to funding for state and local first responders and terrorism prevention. In 2013 and 2014, he opposed amendments for budget legislation that included billions in funding for first responders and a proposal to protect their pensions. Henry Yanez, a retired Michigan firefighter who endorsed El-Sayed, criticized Rogers for his voting record on first responder issues, saying it was unexpected given Rogers’ background as an FBI agent and the support other Republicans in Michigan have shown for first responders. Feal argued that Rogers’ opposition to these bills is a disqualifying issue and suggested that some members of Congress believe they are untouchable until they face electoral consequences. Rogers did not respond to requests for comment. The controversy arose after Rogers sent an email to supporters criticizing El-Sayed over his 9/11 comments and falsely claimed he saw the body of Osama bin Laden with his own eyes. Rogers was not present in Pakistan when bin Laden was killed or in the White House Situation Room during the operation.