By ANDREW MIGA
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Backers of a bill to aid workers who became sick after working in the World Trade Center ruins unveiled police badges on Monday that they hope will build support for the bill's passage before the lame-duck session of Congress adjourns.

"These badges are much more than a symbol of the men and women we've lost," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., referring to 29 replica badges of NYPD members who died of 9/11-related illnesses after working at ground zero. "These shields should serve as a call to action."

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly joined Gillibrand and other New York lawmakers in urging support for the measure, which would provide up to $7.4 billion in free health care and compensation to those workers.

"Passing this bill is the right thing to do, and now is the time," Kelly said.

The bill passed the House in September, but it could die unless the Senate approves it before departing this year. Backers worry it could face a tougher fight in the new, more fiscally conservative Congress, where Republicans will have a stronger hand.

"This is our last, best chance to pass this bill," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.

Backers have been lobbying a group of about a dozen key senators, including moderate Republicans whose votes are vital.

Gillibrand said she's optimistic proponents can win two Republican votes along with the support of all Senate Democrats. That would be enough votes to break any filibuster and pass the bill. Mark Kirk, the Illinois Republican who arrived in the Senate Monday, backs the bill, according to Gillibrand.

"We just need one more (Republican)," she said.

GOP critics have branded the bill as a big-government program that would boost taxes and kill jobs.

The legislation is named for James Zadroga, a police detective who died at age 34. Zadroga's family said he died from respiratory disease contracted at ground zero, but New York City's medical examiner said his lung condition was caused by prescription drug abuse.

Researchers have found that people exposed to the thick clouds of pulverized building materials that enveloped lower Manhattan after the trade center towers fell have high rates of asthma and sinus problems. Many firefighters also suffered a reduction in lung power. Doctors aren't sure, though, exactly how many people are ill, and scientific doubt persists about just how many of the hundreds of illnesses are actually linked to the trade center dust.

New York lawmakers have said a legal settlement worth at least $625 million for thousands of workers exposed to trade center dust doesn't make their legislation less necessary.

They said the settlement does not provide enough funding for injured plantiffs in the case, or for other 9/11 responders and survivors who were injured but have not filed lawsuits.