Jon Stewart spent more time on Capitol Hill this week, doing something that should not need to be done: lobbying congress to do the right thing for 9-11 first responders.
Source: Daily News
Comedian Jon Stewart headed back to Capitol Hill Thursday to blast Congress’ “stupid and embarrassing” failure to renew the Zadroga Act.
The former “Daily Show” host, first responders, and Congressional reps made a last ditch push to get the healthcare bill for Sept. 11 responders passed by the end of the year.
“This is insane,” Stewart told the crowd.
“We have a bunch of first responders outside freezing their asses off,” he said. “Our country’s last responders, our country’s worst responders, are inside nice and comfy and cozy, and probably having soup.”
He pointed the finger at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who many Zadroga backers have also blamed for blocking the bill after it was left out of a massive highway bill they hoped to include it in.
In an interview which aired Friday on MSNBC, Stewart told Luke Russert this, via Raw Story:
“The health care bill for them isn’t gonna cost a lot more money, ’cause there’s only a finite amount of these guys and they’re dying,” he argued, pointing toward a responder identified as John. “If [McConnell] wants to come out and explain that, I’d be happy to hear it. Thus far I have not heard an adequate answer.”
When Russert told him that critics of the Zadroga Act called it an “entitlement program,” an exasperated Stewart threw up his hands and said, “That’s insanity.” Shortly after that exchange, Mike stepped in.
“Let’s talk about what an entitlement is: a two-year term with a lifetime pension,” he told Russert. “Those who are on chemotherapy, those who are taking $30,000 a month in medication, that’s not an entitlement — that’s called f*cking living. That's called trying to survive, while these people want to go home on vacation.”
