Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty
In a fiery and tearful speech in front of a portion of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, the comedian — along with several first responders —urged lawmakersto reauthorize funding for theSeptember 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
“No American in this country should face financial ruin because of a health issue. Certainly, 9/11 first responders shouldn’t have to decide to live or have a place to live,” said Stewart, 56.
Luis Alvarez, a retired bomb-squad detective for the New York Police Department, told the committee that he has cancer because of the fallout of the attacks.
Luis Alvarez and Jon Stewart.Zach Gibson/Getty
In recent years, more and more9/11 first responders have been diagnosed with illnessesthat have beenlinkedto their participation in rescue and recovery efforts following the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The last effort to continue funding for the Victim Compensation Fund came in 2015 with the passing of a five-year extension. The extension was meant to last until December 2020, but thefund announced in a February statementthat claims were increasing and money was running out much more quickly than anticipated.
“They responded in five seconds, they did their jobs. With courage grace, tenacity, humility. Eighteen years later, do yours,” Stewart told Congress.
RELATED VIDEO: Children of 9/11: Six Teens on Growing Up Without Dads 15 Years After Attacks
Stewart also voiced anger over the need to repeatedly reauthorize funding for the Sept. 11 first responders.
“This hearing should be flipped. These men and women should be up on stage and Congress should be down here answering their questions as to why this is so damn hard and takes so damn long and why no matter what they get, something is always pulled back, and they have to come back,” Steward told the members of the committee.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty
“I am awfully tired of hearing that 9/11 is a New York issue,” Stewart said. “Al Qaeda didn’t shout, ‘Death to Tribeca.’ They attacked America, and these men and women, and their response to it, is what brought our country back. It’s what gave a reeling nation a solid foundation to stand back upon, to remind us of why this country is great, or why this country is worth fighting for, and you are ignoring them.”
Stewart added ahead of the vote: “And you can end it tomorrow. Why this bill isn’t unanimous consent and a stand-alone issue is beyond my comprehension. And I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation for why.”
source: people.com
