Local lawmakers on Tuesday advocated for funding for families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks and related illnesses.

They're fighting to pass the Americans Victims of Terror Compensation Act.

Advocacy groups say the bill would fix the U.S. victims of state sponsored terrorism fund. The decades-old fund provides payouts to people who have lost their loved ones to terrorism.

"We are still losing first responders, construction workers, sanitation workers who were down on the pile at ground zero to 9/11-related illnesses,” said Rep. Mike Lawler. “It's not just the 2,977 lives we lost that day."

The bill is in committee review.