Jon Stewart on Tuesday celebrated the Senate's vote to reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, saying it has been the"honor" of his life to fight on behalf of first responders sickened by exposure to toxic material at Ground Zero.
"This has been the honor of my life," the former host of Comedy Central's"Daily Show" said at a press conference following the passage of the bill, which would ensure funding for victims for the next seven decades. The Senate voted overwhelmingly, 97-2, to pass the legislation, which now heads to President Trump's desk for his signature. Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah were the only two to vote against it, citing spending concerns.
“Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak — to no one,” Stewart said. “Shameful. It’s an embarrassment to the country, and it is a stain on this institution.”Stewart also called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for not meeting with the first responders pushing for the bill's reauthorization. McConnell eventually did, and brought the legislation to a vote on the Senate floor.
"We can never repay all that the 9/11 community has done for our country," Stewart said Tuesday."But we can stop penalizing them."
stableford Well done, sir...and all Congress.
stableford Yea! Looking good Mr. Stewart.
stableford Amazing, Mr. Stewart. You're a rock star! Now run for Ptrsident!
stableford I think it’s largely safe to say that without Stewart championing this and publicly shaming Congress into doing what it promises, this wouldn’t have happened...so as modest as Stewart is, he deserves a large share of the credit for today.