Tuesday 15 September 2026
Evening EditionRSS

ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
US Politics

GOP Senate Candidate Mike Rogers Attacked Opponent's 9/11 Comments, Yet Voted Against First Responder Benefits

Rogers has sought to implicate Abdul El-Sayed over old tweets, while records show he twice voted against healthcare benefits for 9/11 first responders

edit
By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has in recent weeks sought to create controversy over old tweets from his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, about the September 11 attacks, but congressional records show Rogers twice voted against providing healthcare and other benefits to 9/11 first responders and survivors, and helped kill similar bills for first responders nationwide.

Mike Rogers, a former member of Congress now vying for Michigan's open US Senate seat, has falsely suggested that El-Sayed, who is Muslim, said the US deserved the 9/11 attack, based on old tweets. However, as critics have noted, Rogers voted against legislation that would have provided healthcare and other benefits to 9/11 first responders and survivors on two occasions, according to congressional records. He has also helped kill other bills that would have provided benefits and healthcare to first responders nationwide.

The race is tight and could decide control of Congress during the next session.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The Michigan Senate race could decide which party controls the Senate in the next session.
  • The controversy highlights the intersection of national security, religious identity, and political accountability for policies affecting 9/11 first responders.
  • Voters face a choice between a candidate who politicized the attack and a record that contradicts support for those who responded to it.

Background

Mike Rogers served as a US Representative from Michigan before his current Senate bid. Abdul El-Sayed, his Democratic opponent, is a physician and former public health official. The 9/11 first responder benefits legislation, often referred to as the Zadroga Act, has been a recurring issue in Congress, with some Republicans opposing its costs or scope. The controversy over El-Sayed's old tweets emerged in late August 2026, with Rogers framing them as suggesting the US deserved the attack—a claim El-Sayed's campaign denies.

Key Perspectives

Mike Rogers (R-MI): His campaign has focused on painting El-Sayed as extreme on national security, using the old tweets to question his judgment. Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI): His campaign has countered by highlighting Rogers' voting record on first responder benefits, arguing it shows a lack of support for those who risked their lives on 9/11. Critics and 9/11 first responder advocates: They point out the contradiction between Rogers' attacks and his legislative record, suggesting it undermines his credibility on national security and veterans' issues.

What to Watch

  • Whether the National September 11 Memorial & Museum or first responder organizations issue statements or ads referencing Rogers' record.
  • The outcome of upcoming debates or campaign events where the issue may be directly addressed.
  • Tracking independent expenditure ads from super PACs or advocacy groups on either side of this issue.

Sources

newspaper

Zotpaper

Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

Editorial ProcessSubscribe