Jon Stewart Takes On Republicans Who Fought 9/11 First Responder Bill

Dec. 17, 2010 — -- Comedian Jon Stewart put the stalled 9/11 health bill center stage on his final show of the year, lambasting Senate Republicans for holding up passage of a bill that would provide billions of dollars in health care for sick 9/11 first responders.

"This is an outrageous abdication of our responsibility to those who were most heroic on 9/11," Stewart said. "The party that turned 9/11 into a catchphrase are now moving suspiciously into a convenient pre-9/11 mentality when it comes to this bill."

The bill, if passed, would provide $7.4 billion in health care benefits and compensation to first responders who became ill after being exposed to pollutants in the wreckage of New York's World Trade Center. The bill would create a fund for sick first responders, providing them with health insurance when their current insurance or worker's compensation payments were gone.

Earlier this year, the House passed the bill; but Senate Republicans continue to filibuster it. The last time it came up for a Senate vote – on December 9 – it fell two votes short of the 60 needed to advance, with senators voting strictly along party lines.

In a measure of solidarity and another jab at the White House, Senate Republicans took a pledge in September to not consider any other legislation before resolving taxes and funding.

On "The Daily Show," Stewart, at times nearly pulling at his hair, talked to a panel of 9/11 first responders.

"I would like to see one of these Senators have the balls to explain why somehow getting a tax cut extension for wealthy Americans is more important than suffering Ground Zero workers."

Late Wednesday, Congress passed an $858 billion tax cut package, extending Bush era tax cuts to all Americans for two years.

"Yes, that is astoundingly good news for firefighters that make over $200,000 a year," Stewart joked.

This isn't the first time that the bill has stirred high emotions. Last July, New York Rep. Anthony Weiner's fiery finger-pointing on the House floor became a viral hit.

"It's Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes," Weiner screamed.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to bring the bill to a vote before the end of the lame-duck session and before Republicans take over control of the House and make significant gains in the Senate.