Jon Stewart slams Congress over benefits for 9/11 first responders

This is a historical speech.

Comedian calls out Congress for being a bunch of clowns.

Jon Stewart changed my life during the 9/11 crisis. I had taken 2 weeks vacation as soon as I saw this to go to NYC, thinking that my fire fighting and first aid training from my Navy days might be useful. Once I got there, it was not easy getting through the lines, but I finally found a cop who let me in to try to help. My skills were not needed by then - there were no hordes of wounded needing first aid, and NYFD had the fires under control. So I spent most of my time schlepping food and drinks to the real heroes digging through the rubble for remains, or when lucky a rare survivor. One day, doing that, I saw something I still don't talk about - don't like to think about. And for the first time, I went outside the lines, got some beer and a hotel room and started getting drunk. Later, I turned on the TV to try to distract myself, and I saw that the Daily Show was going to be on in about 5 minutes. I had never seen it but had heard great things about it, and I thought some laughs might do me good. There were no laughs in the 1st part of the show - just Jon talking about 9/11, and then he said "Any fool can destroy, but to see these people, the first responders, and people from all over the country, literally with BUCKETS, rebuilding - now THAT is amazing." When I left, ground zero, I did not worry about whether I could get back in. I had no intention of ever going back. Jon restored my courage, and my resolve and the next morning I did go back. He lifted me from the depths, and helped me go on at one of the lowest points in my life.

I'm from the UK and have to say without doubt this is the most powerful speech I have ever seen

The 9/11 bill got passed. Jon Stewart’s efforts and brilliant speech paid off

"They did their jobs. Do yours." Strong words. Irrefutable.

What is amusing to me is that even after Jon's impassioned, and factual, plea for help for literal heroes, there were representatives up on that stage who refused to clap. Even when the camera panned on the whole lot of them, it was apparent some of them looked annoyed or indifferent. But as Jon said, come a 9/11 anniversary, some of these disgusting people will tweet out "never forget." Sick.

It still baffles me how a govt can ask some folks to put their lives on the line as part of their job and then refuse to take care of them when they get hurt in the line of duty.

Doesn't matter whether you are conservative or liberal. As Americans we should all be furious about this.

"They did their jobs. Now, do yours." His speech was flawless. I am not an American but I salute you Mr. Stewart.

My Dad got lympnode cancer from 9/11, he was a cop and was there for weeks during the aftermath while dealing with the death of his BIL (my uncle, who passed during the attack), and the deaths of some of his coworkers. He almost died, the doctors said he only lived because he caught it early. He had thousands of dollars of debt, and he has gotten rejected every single time he has applied for compensation just to pay off the thousands of dollars in debt from an illness he got saving lives. The cancer he got was so rare and aggressive that the doctor who did his surgery wrote a medical journal about it, yet he keeps being told that his type of cancer is being seen more lately. Who is it being seen more in? First responders who were at the 9/11 attacks. Jeez I wonder why?

I realized the video length was 9:11 and instantly started crying. So thankful Jon stood up for these heroes. Unbelievable it came to this.

I said it before but I have to say it again: He's a comedian worth $80 million and this is how he spends his time. Sincere props.

“This wasn’t a hurricane; and by the way, that’s your job anyway.” That Congressman’s soul left his body after that absolute slam

This is one of the most remarkable moments of his career. The world needs more John Stewarts

One of the greatest speeches in American history.

"I don't know what he's so bent out of shape over."- Mitch McConnell What a vile man.

Every single law maker and person who didn’t show up should be fired that is ridiculous

After I watched this, I came to the conclusion that Jon Stewart is one of the most important people in entertainment

Was reminded of this again today, as Jon again took up the fight for veterans with the PACT act. I know he's tired of having to state the obvious to power, but I'm so grateful he's here doing it, again and again.