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The fund was created to provide compensation to anyone who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes or the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath of those crashes. Before Tuesday's vote, the fund was set to run out of money in December 2020.

Stewart has been a major proponent of making the fund permanent and before Tuesday's vote he posed for a photo as he tried to keep up the pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

\"PHOTO:
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
PHOTO: Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show, smiles as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks by at the Ohio Clock Corridor in the Capitol, July 23, 2019.
>

His celebrity shone a spotlight on the issue, and his testimony on Capitol Hill ripped lawmakers for failing to fully fund the program.

\"PHOTO:
Zach Gibson/Getty Images
PHOTO: Jon Stewart arrives before testifying during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on reauthorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund on Capitol Hill on June 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.
>

\"They responded in five seconds,\" Stewart shouted at a hearing on June 11. \"They did their jobs. With courage grace, tenacity, humility. Eighteen years later, do yours!\"

Even as Stewart worked toward an expeditious solution, some 9/11 victims were not able to see the fruits of his labor. NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez passed away from cancer just weeks before the bill was passed.

Alvarez had given his badge to McConnell, a sign of the promise McConnell made to the ailing detective to bring the legislation to the Senate floor for a vote without any political jockeying over the budget.

\"PHOTO:
Zach Gibson/Getty Images
PHOTO: Michael O'Connelll, left, John Feal, center, and Jon Stewart, right, applaud Luis Alvarez during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on reauthorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
>

Last week, GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky opposed passing the bill by unanimous consent, with concerns about how to pay for the fund. Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also introduced an amendment to increase oversight on the fund. Both amendments failed to pass in a Senate vote on Tuesday. Both Paul and Lee voted against the final bill.

Jon Feal, a 9/11 recovery worker and longtime advocate, said after the vote, \"Passing this legislation—there's no joy. There's no comfort. Yes, I cried with Jon. But that was to exhale. That was to get 18 years of pain and suffering out.\"

And he thanked McConnell for keeping his word.

9/11 first responder advocate John Feal on passage of bill on 9/11 victims compensation fund: \"Passing this legislation—there's no joy. There's no comfort. Yes, I cried with Jon. But that was to exhale. That was to get 18 years of pain and suffering out.\" https://t.co/jK6Kt6kaIf pic.twitter.com/j8bCF1Vmqw

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 23, 2019

\"I thank Congress for recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of the 200 FDNY members who have lost their lives since September 11th, and the thousands more who are battling illnesses still today,\" New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement. \"By reauthorizing the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund, they have made a lifelong commitment that these men and women have earned, and truly deserve.\"

ABC News’ Christine Szabo contributed to this story.

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