Stewart: 9/11 heroes need Congressional attention now

Comedian Jon Stewart took umbrage Monday at Sen. Mitch McConnell’s complaint that he’s “bent out of shape” over Congressional inaction on a plan to establish a permanent compensation program for ailing 9/11 victims and first responders.

“I am bent out of shape for them,” Stewart said during an appearance on CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

“These were the first heroes and veterans and victims of the great trillions-of-dollars war on terror, and they are currently suffering and dying in a terrible way,” Stewart said. “You would think that would be enough to get Congress’s attention, but apparently it’s not.”

Stewart spoke in response to McConnell’s appearance Monday morning on Fox News Channel.

“I don’t know why he is all bent out of shape,” snapped McConnell, who as Senate Majority Leader oversees its work flow. “But we will take care of the 9/11 victims’ compensation fund.”

The tone-deaf remark came after Stewart criticized McConnell (R-Ky.) for putting the bill on a slow road to consideration. The former “Daily Show” star says McConnell has been a “white whale” on the issue every time it has come up since 2010.

Stewart has become the celebrity public face of the effort to make sure 9/11 victims are compensated fairly. He appeared alongside ailing first responders at an emotional Congressional hearing on the issue last week.

The House of Representative passed the bill with little opposition but so far the GOPled Senate has not taken action. Democrats say McConnell has transformed his chamber into a dead end for legislation since they took control of the lower house with a decisive win in the 2018 midterm elections.