Mr. Stewart Goes to Washington

By Dustin Rowles | Politics | June 11, 2019 |

By Dustin Rowles | Politics | June 11, 2019 |

Jon Stewart retired from The Daily Show back in 2015, but every few months, we still find him in one of two places: Popping by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or in the halls of Congress haranguing Congresspeople for failing to provide adequate compensation for 9/11 First Responders. It’s been 18 years, and Jon Stewart is still having this fight. It’s been 18 years, and Congress still hasn’t adequately provided for the First Responders and their families.

When he showed up today to plead with the House Judiciary Committee to reauthorize the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund, what he found was a bunch of empty seats.

“As I sit here today, I can’t help but think what an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process that getting health care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to. Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders, and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress.”

I don’t know if it will do a damn bit of good, but here’s Jon Stewart going full Jimmy Stewart on their asses, for which he received a standing ovation from first responders. We’ve all seen Jon Stewart when he’s pissed off. But I don’t think any of us have ever seen him quite like this:

"Your indifference cost these men and women their most valuable commodity: time."

Jon Stewart receives a standing ovation from 9/11 first responders after slamming lawmakers for failing to fund programs providing healthcare to the first responders https://t.co/vSFOq11Wr5 pic.twitter.com/BrAC3UfYMD

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 11, 2019

It’s a goddamn mystery to me as to why Stewart needs to have this fight every year. Provide for these women and men, Congress, and let Jon Stewart go back to his goats.