A reauthorization bill for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund has been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, one day after former “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart blasted lawmakers for failing to attend the hearing on the bill.
Jon Stewart has been a longtime advocate for 9/11 first responders and their families. He gave an emotional testimony, calling the House Judiciary Committee members “shameful” after only a little over half of the 14 members were present.
He also criticized them for not extending the program, adding that it is “utterly unacceptable” to show such disrespect to the first responders who are now suffering declining health, respiratory ailments, and other illnesses including cancer.
The Victim Compensation Fund was originally established in 2011 to help 9/11 first responders with illnesses or deaths in connection to their exposure to toxic substances encountered at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA.
However, the fund is dwindling, and benefit payments are being cut. It was only funded for five years, through the end of 2020.
The bill would extend the compensation fund to 2090. It will now go to the floor for a full vote in the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass.
Its future in the Senate is unclear, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the bill to the floor as soon as it passes in the House.
