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Moments after the passage of the House, McConnell's office issued a statement that the chamber would consider "this important bill soon."
"The first responders who rushed into danger on September 11, 2001 are the very definition of American heroes and patriots," McConnell said. "The Senate has never forgotten the Victims Compensation Fund and we are not about to start now." Nothing in our common goal of providing these heroes is at the grassroots partisan level. "
Applause and applause took place in the House during the vote after Democrats and Republicans spoke earlier in the day in favor of the bill. At the same time, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York went to the public gallery above the ground to talk to the people who had come to watch the vote.
Before Friday's vote, Stewart on Friday called the House's move to "semi-finals" as he continued to lobby Congress for the bill to be presented to the president's office.
"It's the semifinal," said Stewart at the Capitol Hill press conference, alongside first responders and members of Congress. "The finals will be held in two weeks in the Senate."
The current law, which was last renewed in 2015, expires next year and the fund administrator says it does not have enough money to settle all the issues. compensation claims in progress and planned.
The first speaker on September 11, John Feal, told reporters late last month that McConnell had pledged to hold a vote to extend the fund after meeting with Feal and D & C. Other 9/11 first responders at Capitol Hill.
"Mitch McConnell is engaged with the 9/11 community and team leaders to help us pass a bill that will be passed in the House in July, for a vote in the month of In the Senate, "said Feal. said at the time.
Stewart, whose voice advocacy – and deeply critical – for the bill has attracted the attention of the country, again lambasted lawmakers Friday who expressed concerns about the cost of the program, quoting the world champion of the consumption of hot dogs in the process.
"It's like watching Joey Chestnut throw 70 hot dogs at Coney Island and not taking Coca-Cola in the end because he's watching the calories, you know," Stewart said. "Do not be crazy here, it's necessary, it's urgent and it's morally right."
The damage caused by the attacks of September 11, 2001 has had a serious impact on the health of first responders and recovery workers, including lung impairment and cancer, with thousands of claims for death and injury.
The bill will call Never Forget Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent authorization of the September 11th law on the victims' compensation fund.
"Luis Alvarez, Ray Pfeifer and James Zadroga have dedicated their lives to protecting others and to defending the interests of those who suffer after the September 11 attacks," Nadler said in a statement released as part of the announcement. the name change of the bill. "It's a fitting tribute to renaming this bill after those heroes who embody bravery and make the ultimate sacrifice for our country."
Stewart said Friday that he was expecting the Senate to act soon.
"I really expect the final signing ceremony to take place by August 2nd."
This story has been updated with additional developments on Friday.
Phil Mattingly of CNN, Ted Barrett, Sunlen Serfaty, Ray Sanchez and Eli Watkins contributed to this report.
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