During a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol, flanked by law enforcement representatives and members of New York's congressional delegation, Stewart said he's "embarrassed" it's taken a public lobbying for Congress to "do what's right" and renew the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
"I'm here today basically to apologize," he began. "I want to apologize to all of the men and women, the first responders, that you had to come down here today. I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for our country. I'm embarrassed for New York. I'm embarrassed that you, after serving so selflessly with such heroism have to come down here and convince people to do what's right for the illnesses and difficulties that you suffered because of your heroism and because of your selflessness."
"Nobody had to lobby you to rush to those towers on that day," recalled Stewart, who interviewed several first responders during his time at the Daily Show and has been active in 9/11 charities.