Last week, comedian Jon Stewart appeared in front of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties to address the upcoming bill to extend funding for victims of 9/11 beyond 2020. Appearing alongside
dozens of Sept. 11 victims, Stewart’s appearance before the subcommittee received national attention because of his impassioned speech that criticized Congress for their inaction and lackluster attendance during the hearing. Stewart said that the empty seats in front of him were “an embarrassment to the country and a stain on the institution.”
The subcommittee consists of 14 members, 12 of whom were present for the hearing. The absent members of the subcommittee were Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Ca., and Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa.
The hearing concluded with an assurance by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., that the bill to extend the fund would pass through the House of Representatives easily. The full House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the bill the following day. It is expected to pass the House and Senate.
In the days following the hearing, Stewart appeared on several cable news programs continuing his criticism of Congress, particularly of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Appearing on Fox News on Sunday, Stewart said, “In terms of getting the 9/11 bills passed, Mitch McConnell has been the white whale on this,” comparing the senator to the notoriously difficult to catch a whale in the novel Moby Dick. He went on to say that “intense lobbying and public shaming” were the only way to get McConnell to approve funding for the victims of 9/11.
This morning while appearing on “Fox & Friends,” Sen. McConnell said of Jon Stewart, “I don’t know why he’s all bent out of shape but we will take care of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.”
In regards to the perceived lack of attendance at the hearing, McConnell said, “Well that frequently happens because members have a lot of things going on at the same time.”
McConnell concluded his defense against Stewart’s remarks with further assurance that the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund would be approved in the Senate. He said, “It sounds to me like he is looking for some way to take offense. There is no way we won’t address this problem appropriately.”
