Despite opposition from the right, the U.S. Senate has approved to extend a bill that provides aid to victims and first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The legislation reauthorizes money for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund through 2092, essentially making it permanent. The fund helps cover medical bills for thousands of 9/11 survivors and first responders who have suffered various health issues due to the attacks. According to NBC News, the bill passed by a vote of 97-2 Tuesday, following aggressive lobbying from organizations, lawmakers, and Jon Stewart.
The only two senators who voted against the bill were Mike Lee, R.-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky. The former expressed concerns over potential fraud and abuse of the fund; while the latter, who voted in favor of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion tax cut, expressed concerns about the nation's deficit.
"It has long been my feeling that we need to address our massive debt in the country," Paul said on the Senate floor last week. "And therefore any new spending … should be offset by cutting spending that's less valuable. We need to, at the very least, have this debate."
During an appearance on Fox News following Paul's rebuke, Stewart condemned the senator's efforts to block the bill's extension.
"It's absolutely outrageous. Pardon me if I’m not impressed in any way by Rand Paul’s fiscal responsibility virtue signaling," the former Daily Show host said. "[...] This is about what kind of society we have. At some point, we have to stand up for the people who have always stood up for us, and at this moment in time maybe cannot stand up for themselves due to their illnesses and their injuries. And what Rand Paul did today on the floor of the Senate was outrageous."
Trump is expected to sign the bill this Friday during a ceremony attended by first responders.
