Stephen Colbert savors the photo of Jon Stewart beating Mitch McConnell on 9/11 first responders funding

Jon Stewart celebrates the overwhelming passage of the 9/11 first responders bill

(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, the Senate cleared a bill, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, providing financial support for 9/11 first responders through 2092, with only two senators, Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), "voting themselves into the dustbin of history," Stephen Colbert said on The Late Show. This was a victory not only for the first responders but also for their highest-profile advocate, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, whose relentless hammering on the issue overcame slow-walking of the legislation by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

"One of my favorite things about this story" is a photo of "Mitch McConnell right before the vote, walking in, knowing that he's going to have to vote for it," Colbert said. "And here's our friend Jon Stewart," watching and smiling. "That's a good picture," he said, laughing. "Long overdue, thank you to the 9/11 responders for what you did for all of us, and thank you do Jon for staying on top of this." You can see the photo in the video below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.