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Actor Jon Stewart has put members of Congress to the test Tuesday, accusing the Judiciary Committee of the House for its low turnout at a hearing to discuss the reauthorization of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
Congress created the fund after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, for the benefit of anyone injured or ill in the attacks or in the response process.
"As I sit here today, I can not help but think of the incredible metaphor of this piece for the whole process of getting health care and services. benefits for 9/11 first responders, "Stewart told the House Judiciary Committee. "Behind me, a room full of first responders from 9/11 and in front of me, a Congress almost empty."
Firefighters, police and others attended the hearing despite illness and injury, Stewart explained, but some committee members chose not to show up. First responders attended the hearing to advocate for the financial compensation to which they are due, Stewart said.
"I do not know if we have the money, and I'm sorry if I look angry and unapologetic," said Stewart, former host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central. "But I'm angry and you should be too."
He reprimanded lawmakers for their apparent hypocrisy, campaigning on first responder issues and hailing their heroism, but not acting in Congress to support them.
"There is not a person here – there is not an empty chair on this scene that has not tweeted", let's never forget the heroes of 9/11; never forget their courage; never forget what they did, what they gave to this country, "said Stewart, before beckoning to the crowd of first responders behind him. "Well, here they are."
[Tears, anger at congressional hearing seeking extension of victim fund for 9/11 responders]
The fund was last reactivated in 2015 as part of the reauthorization of James Zadroga's 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides health care and financial assistance to first responders , volunteers and survivors. The Victims Compensation Fund was supposed to allow people to submit claims until December 18, 2020, but its leaders announced in February that it would reduce benefits due to a "death penalty." insufficient funding ".
Stewart has defended the Victims Compensation Fund since at least 2010, when he devoted nine minutes of "The Daily Show" to criticizing congressional members opposed to the Zadroga law. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that Stewart's activism was able to provoke "a breakthrough" on the issue.
Stewart did not talk about a written statement, as many who appear before committees tend to do so. Sometimes the old host late at night raised his voice. He was close to tears. He urged the committee to take their problems seriously.
"They responded in five seconds – they did their job," said Stewart, fighting tears. "With courage, grace, tenacity, humility. … Eighteen years later, do yours.
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