Stewart, a longtime advocate for 9/11 responders, delivered emotional testimony at that Capitol Hill hearing, meant to discuss a bill ensuring the fund can pay benefits for the next 70 years. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., predicted the bill will pass with overwhelming support and said lawmakers meant no disrespect as they moved in and out of the subcommittee hearing, a common occurrence on Capitol Hill. First and foremost, Stewart said, families want to know: "Why is this so damn hard and takes so damn long?" The collapse of the World Trade Center in September 2001 sent a cloud of thick dust billowing over Lower Manhattan. More than $5 billion in benefits have been awarded out of the $7.4 billion fund, with about 21,000 claims pending.

Source: Fox News June 11, 2019 19:36 UTC