Mike Johnson: Aid to 9/11 First Responders Should Be Permanent

United States Congressman Mike Johnson talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the recent House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties meeting on behalf of first responders and other survivors of the 9-11 attacks on New York City's World Trade Center.

Johnson tells KEEL listeners that "Sadly, we're about to cross the tragic landmark where we've lost more people from 9-11 than we lost on 9-11 because of the illnesses - cancers and other maladies - that have befallen the people who were there and those who helped."

Johnson also commented on an appearance before the subcommittee by comedian Jon Stewart. "He's been a very passionate activist for the first responders. I told him after the hearing - I told him during the hearing - I understand this myself. I've experienced it. My own father was a firefighter who was burned and permanently disabled in the line of duty"

The Congressman added that he expected the bill to pass easily and with bipartisan support.