NEW YORK (AP) — Comedian Jon Stewart has returned to “The Daily Show” where he made a push to renew a law that provides health benefits for first responders who became ill after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Stewart was a guest on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” on Monday night.
Stewart urged, badgered and exhorted Congress, especially Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to pass the Zadroga Act.
The law expired last month but has enough funding to last another year.
Proponents of the law are seeking its permanent extension, but some Republicans have opposed that, saying they want a chance to periodically review it and make sure it’s operating soundly.
Watch videos from Stewart’s appearance below. Editor’s note: Some may find the language in this video to be offensive.
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Stewart sat down with Noah and said passing the Zadroga Act comes down to two people, Rep. Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader.
“So far, [McConnell] has been an enormous obstacle, unwilling to move the bill forward for purely political reasons,” Stewart said.
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“I support it,” McConnell said to WTOP Tuesday.
“We’ve got more work to do here as we move toward completion. I support what’s trying to be achieved and we hope to accomplish it,” McConnell says.
Senate staffers say the policy part of the bill is largely locked down. Funding provisions are still to be worked out but there’s widespread agreement that the measure will be renewed.
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House and the White House are all involved in talks to work out funding for the measure.
Noah took over as host of “The Daily Show” in September, succeeding Stewart, who stepped down in August after 16 years.
WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.
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