A US congressional panel has voted to extend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, a day after comedian Jon Stewart assailed lawmakers for their inaction.
Stewart appeared on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, calling it “shameful” that many lawmakers did not attend to hear testimony from first responders.
The comedian testified in support of the bill, which extends medical funding for 9/11 first responders.
The measure now moves to the US House of Representatives for a full vote.
The Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) covers medical costs of first responders, volunteers and survivors who were injured or sickened at Ground Zero following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack.
Wednesday's vote, almost two decades after the disaster, moves to extend the fund through to the 2090 fiscal year.
“They did their jobs with courage, grace, tenacity,” he told the House Judiciary Committee of the first responders. “Eighteen years later, do yours.”