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June 12, 2019

Jon Stewart Blasts Congress over Funding for 9/11 Responders
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At an emotional congressional hearing Tuesday, Jon Stewart blasted
lawmakers for their inaction ahead of a vote on renewing healthcare
funding for 9/11 responders who became sick as a result of their work
following the terror attack. The comedian and former host of "The Daily
Show" has been a longtime advocate for the 9/11 responders and has
repeatedly called out proposed cuts to the fund, which is set to expire
in 2020. New York Democratic Congressmember Carolyn Maloney introduced
legislation earlier this year to fund the program permanently. This is
Stewart addressing a subcommittee of the House Judiciary panel.

Jon Stewart: "Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders. And in
front of me, a nearly empty Congress. Sick and dying, they brought
themselves down here to speak to no one. Shameful. It's an embarrassment
to the country, and it is a stain on this institution. And you should be
ashamed of yourselves, for those that aren't here. But you won't be,
because accountability doesn't appear to be something that occurs in
this chamber."



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