Back in September, Jon Stewart visited Congress to implore the passage of a permanent law to help Americans with health care issues that had assisted in the immediate response to the September 11th attacks. The law that provided assistance for these citizens, including over 33,000 who are receiving care related to the attacks, was set to expire. Because a majority of House and Senate members signed on as sponsors of the bill, Stewart saw no reason to keep pushing, as he assumed the bill would pass in a small matter of time. However, this has not been the case, and the bill has stalled in the Congress with minute battles regarding appropriations holding up the process. Stewart, thus, went back to Congress to make sure the bill became law.
According to The Huffington Post, "Once again we're just down here dumbfounded. It's a visit with the last responders, the worst responders," said Stewart on Capitol Hill.
Stewart is crediting with rallying the necessary support to pass the original measure in 2010, using his show to galvanize fans to call their local representatives and ensure passage of this law.
Speaking of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been largely blamed for holding up the process, Stewart said, "The man has literally sponsored and touted the exact same bill for energy workers. I honestly just wish I could understand the rationale. That bill cost twice as much what they're asking for these guys."
In response to Stewart's criticism, McConnell met with 9/11 responders, and pledged to including the bill in the upcoming spending bill that the government must past next week in order to remain operating. However, Mitch McConnell has still remained unclear regarding from where this funding would come. Regarding McConnell's concessions, Stewart said, "This is stupid, and embarrassing, once again." Stewart spent the day walking through the halls of the capitol looking for representatives who hadn't signed onto the bill.
