With the Daily Show now behind him, comedian Jon Stewart plans to lobby Congress next week for a bill that supports 9/11 first responders. The move, announced by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, comes as a health program for first responders is set to expire.
The World Trade Center Health Program monitors and provides health treatment to more than 30,000 first responders for illness caused during the aftermath of 9/11. Many first responders suffer from illnesses like cancer as a result of their work at Ground Zero.
Stewart has been a long-time advocate on 9/11 first responder health issues. In a particularly memorable Daily Show segment in 2010,the former television host brought four first responders on his show to share how they felt about a Senate filibuster of a health bill.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com