June 18, 2019
Alina Pasha
News Writer
Politics
Photo Courtesy Shutterstock.com
Comedian Jon Stewart used his appearance on Stephen Colbert’s late-night show on Monday to respond to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s comments in their back-and-forth over the funding for 9/11 victims. Surprised and upset by the lack of attendance at the congressional hearing and the overall lack of action taken by the Congress on the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, Stewart delivered an impassioned speech on Capitol Hill. Slamming Congress during his testimony, Stewart began his 9-minute speech with, “Behind me, a filled room of 9/11 first responders and in front of me, a nearly empty Congress. Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak to no one. Shameful.”
After Stewart’s speech at the hearing on June 10th, McConnell appeared on Fox News on Monday to express his reaction to the speech. When asked why votes in Congress tend to be at the last minute, McConnell said, “Many things Congress have at the last minute. We have never failed to address this issue… I don’t know why he’s (Stewart) all bent out of shape, but we will take care of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.” McConnell brushed aside the lack of attendance, responding, “Well, that frequently happens, because members have a lot of things going on at the same time. Sounds to me like he’s looking for some way to take offence.”
A few hours later, Stewart appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to respond. Appearing from under Colbert’s desk, Stewart exclaimed, “No, Mitch McConnell, I am not bent out of shape!” Replying to McConnell’s explanation of the lack of participation, Stewart with tongue-in-cheek said, “This is a huge misunderstanding. I didn’t know that they were busy. I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt them with their jobs.” He concluded, “If you want to know why the 9/11 community is bent out of shape over these past 18 years…meet with them tomorrow…”
