Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart was on Capitol Hill Thursday morning for the second time in four months to lobby for legislation supporting victims and responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“Once again, we’re just down here dumbfounded,” Stewart said, according to the Huffington Post. “It’s a visit with the last responders, the worst responders,” he said of Congress.
Stewart used the opportunity to blast Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who he blames for delaying the 9/11 legislation until he’s assured the Senate can pass a bill easing the ban on U.S. oil exports.
“The man has literally sponsored and touted the exact same bill for energy workers,” Stewart said, referring to permanent legislation McConnell passed to provide aid for nuclear workers. “I honestly just wish I could understand the rationale. That bill cost twice as much what they’re asking for these guys.”
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which established the World Trade Center Health Program, was created to help emergency responders, cleanup workers and victims who need medical monitoring and treatment following the events of 9/11.
Zadroga was a New York City Police Department officer who died from a respiratory disease in 2006 that was attributed to his involvement digging through the rubble of the World Trade Center.
The authorization for that program expired on Sept. 30, though it can continue using its funds for another year. Stewart wants to extend the current program and establish it as a permanent solution to help those still feeling the effects of 9/11.
Stewart also paid a visit to Capitol Hill in September and called on Congress to stop the legislation from expiring, a bid that proved unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nev., accused Republicans of stalling the legislation from being renewed by excluding it from a highway-funding bill.
“I am disappointed,” Reid told reporters, according to The Hill. “It’s something that these people deserve, and I was told what we’re going to do it on the omnibus [spending bill]. And now, I was told later in the day that they want to do it on the tax extenders. So, I don’t know what their 9/11 idea of the day is — I should say the hour.”
