President Trump said he was “impressed” with Jon Stewart’s emotional testimony about continuing health care for 9/11 responders before a House panel but sidestepped a question whether he would direct Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to ensure passage of the bill in his chamber.
Host Chuck Todd asked the president during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that as a New Yorker does he believe Stewart’s accusation that McConnell is standing in the way of reauthorizing the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.
“I liked what Jon Stewart did. I actually did. And I actually have a meeting on that subject next week. So we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
Todd asked if Stewart had a point that Congress hasn’t done enough for the responders.
“I have a meeting with that, on that subject with,” Trump said. “Well, when you say Congress, billions of dollars has been passed.”
But Todd said the 9/11 fund was going to run out of money.
“Memorials have been, have been built,” Trump said, later adding: “Tremendous amounts of money. But there are still people that are sick. I have a meeting on it next week.”
Stewart, the former host of “The Daily Show,” testified earlier this month at a House Judiciary subcommittee to encourage lawmakers to reauthorize the fund, which is running out of money, through Oct. 1, 2090.
Stewart then went on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last week to ask McConnell to meet with the responders and ensure passage of the bill in the Senate.
“So, if you want to know why the 9/11 community is bent out of shape over the past, let’s call it 18 years, meet with them tomorrow as soon as possible and don’t make them beg for it,” he said. “You can pass this thing as a standalone bill tomorrow. Meet with them. I’m begging you.”
Later, the Kentucky Republican, during an appearance last Monday on “Fox & Friends,” questioned why Stewart was so “bent out of shape” over securing health care for the responders and said he would “take care” of it.