9/11 Victim Compensation Fund extension signed by Trump

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has served as Trump’s personal attorney, was among the lawmakers in the audience. The family of the late Luis Alvarez, a retired NYPD bomb squad detective who testified before Congress to advocate for the extension of the fund, was also in attendance. The President thanked Alvarez’s family for his hard work.

Trump told the crowd of 9/11 first responders and their families that he was also at Ground Zero in the wake of the terror attacks, though he said he doesn’t consider himself a first responder.

“I was down there also, but I’m not considering myself a first responder,” Trump said. “But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you.”

The comments were reminiscent of previous claims Trump has made about 9/11, including when he claimed during the 2016 election to have “helped a little bit” to clear the rubble. Trump did not reiterate that claim on Monday.

Trump was near Ground Zero in the days after the 9/11 attacks, where he conducted at least two TV interviews, discussing the attacks and claiming that he had “hundreds of men” working to clear the rubble at Ground Zero — a claim that 9/11 responders have called dubious.

The extension of the fund will ensure compensation for individuals injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions.

Stewart and 9/11 first responders testified to a near-empty House Judiciary Committee about the bill, catching the attention of many.

A White House official told reporters that Stewart, as well as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, were invited to Monday’s ceremony.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the fund’s extension will cost about $10 billion over the next decade.

Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah were the only senators to vote against the bill.