Jon Stewart Is Right: Congress Keeps Screwing 9/11 Heroes

Budget Cuts Were Reversed—But Washington Is Still Playing Games

Mar 12, 2025

“Never Forget” was supposed to mean something.

For over two decades, we’ve said we would never forget the heroes of 9/11. We built memorials, gave speeches, waved flags, and called them warriors. But when it comes to actually taking care of the first responders and survivors who sacrificed their health and their futures, our government has failed them again and again.

The latest disgrace? Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) quietly slashed funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)—the only federal program dedicated to treating thousands of first responders suffering from 9/11-related cancers, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions.

The backlash was fierce. Public outrage—and Jon Stewart's relentless advocacy—forced the White House to reverse the cuts. But let’s be clear: the fact that these cuts were ever considered is an insult. And unless we demand permanent protections, this will happen again.

This isn’t just bureaucratic mismanagement. It’s a deliberate betrayal.

A History of Broken Promises—And Jon Stewart’s Relentless Fight

This isn’t the first time Washington has forced 9/11 survivors and their families to beg for care. It’s a pattern, a grotesque cycle where first responders have to fight for their lives not just against illness but against their own government’s indifference.

And every time, Jon Stewart has been there, dragging Congress to do the right thing.

2010: Congress finally passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, but only after Stewart used The Daily Show to publicly shame lawmakers into acting.
2015: When the Zadroga Act expired, Republican leadership delayed reauthorization for months. Stewart called out the hypocrisy, and first responders had to march through Washington, literally begging for their survival. Public outrage finally forced Congress to act.
2019: When the Victim Compensation Fund ran out of money, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) blocked immediate reauthorization, citing “spending concerns.” Stewart gave a fiery congressional testimony, excoriating lawmakers for their inaction. His speech went viral, and within weeks, Congress passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, extending funding through 2090.
2022: The WTCHP faced a $3 billion shortfall and nearly shut down. Stewart publicly pressured lawmakers again, and a funding patch was added to the 2023 Omnibus Bill.

Every single time, the same lawmakers who wrap themselves in 9/11 patriotism when convenient have been the ones standing in the way when it counts.

DOGE’s 2025 Budget Cuts: Another Betrayal

In 2025, history almost repeated itself under Elon Musk’s DOGE.

Without warning, the agency cut funding for 9/11 research, slashed 20% of WTCHP staff, and put cancer research on hold. This would have left thousands of first responders without the care they were promised.

Jon Stewart wasn’t having it.

On a recent episode of The Daily Show, Stewart slammed the cuts and called out the hypocrisy of prioritizing corporate tax breaks while slashing life-saving healthcare.
In a moment of frustration, he smashed a coffee mug on-air, cutting his hand—a raw, unscripted moment that underscored just how personal this fight is to him. (Entertainment Weekly)
He challenged Elon Musk to an unedited interview to explain why his agency targeted 9/11 heroes while keeping billions in corporate subsidies. Musk has since agreed to the interview—though whether he’ll follow through remains to be seen. (New York Post)

The public backlash was swift; just like before, Washington backed down. DOGE reversed the cuts, at least for now. But if we’ve learned anything from this fight, it’s that unless protections are made permanent, lawmakers will keep trying to gut these programs when they think no one is watching.

What Happens Next? This Fight Isn’t Over.

Even though these latest cuts were overturned, this program is still in danger.

This week, Congress is rushing to pass a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown. The good news? The bill does not include new cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The bad news? These cuts are still on the table for the next round of budget negotiations in just a few months.

Republicans have already signaled that they plan to revisit across-the-board spending cuts when full FY2026 budget negotiations begin later this year. The WTCHP has been a target before, and if we don’t stay loud, it could be again.

What You Can Do Right Now

📞 Call Your Representatives – Demand permanent, protected funding for 9/11 survivors. No more political games.

💵 Support First Responder Advocacy Groups – Organizations like FealGood Foundation and 9/11 Health Watch fight daily for these heroes.

📢 Call Out Hypocrisy – If a politician tweets about “Never Forget,” ask them: Do you support permanent funding for 9/11 survivors? Yes or no?

📖 Share Their Stories – The more people know, the harder it is for Washington to look away.

Final Thought: Never Forget Means NEVER Forget

“Never Forget” has become a cheap slogan, slapped on bumper stickers and used in political speeches.

But words mean nothing without action.

The heroes of 9/11 answered the call without hesitation. The least we can do is make sure they never have to fight their own government for the care they earned.

If our leaders won’t do it willingly, then it’s our job to make them.

See our coverage of the ongoing Budget talks here: