Jon Stewart has long been fighting for the healthcare benefits of the 9/11 first responders. He reportedly used a segment of his show in December 2010 titled "Worst Responders" to urge Congress to act on the said initiative. As a result the Zadroga Act was passed in six days. The comedian has already stepped down from show, but he has not stepped down from the fight.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after the police officer who died of respiratory disease from working on Ground Zero, is expiring next month. According to The Guardian, if the bill does not get an extension the health program that benefits more than 33,000 9/11 responders will be jeopardized. Jon Stewart joined the rally of 100 9/11 responders on Capitol Grounds Wednesday to appeal to Congress to renew the act.
"I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for our country. I'm embarrassed for New York," Jon Stewart said before the first responders and rescuers. "I'm embarrassed that you, after serving so selflessly with such heroism, have to come down here and convince people to do what's right for the illnesses and difficulties that you suffered because of your heroism and because of your selflessness." He further said, "If they can't get this done, I don't have a tremendous amount of hope they can get anything done, this is about as unassailable a piece of legislation as you can possibly have. If you can't get this done, maybe we should shut down [the government]."
He wasn't joking. Later on Stewart joined a group of first responders in a parade down the halls of congress hoping to get the full attention of congress. It was a risky move but the responders were more than willing to support him. According to Online, he said, "On the hill, you will be exposed to possibly toxic levels of bulls--t and arrogance. You're strong men and women, but these are conditions you may never have faced before. Buckle your seatbelts. Let's get this done."
Jon Stewart is using his influence to help the lives of more than 33,000 brave Americans who served the country after the 9/11 Tragedy. On the other hand, is this an early sign that Stewart is entering politics?
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