NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- President Trump signed to extend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund during a ceremony in the State Dining Room on Monday.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 attacks and was set to run out in December 2020.
The $7.4 billion fund had been rapidly depleting, and administrators recently cut benefit payments by up to 70 percent.
Comedian John Stewart and dozens of first responders had lobbied on Capitol Hill, urging Congress to vote in favor of making the fund permanent.
"You inspire all of humanity,'' Trump said of the "true American warriors'' who rushed to assist victims on the day of the attacks and searched for remains for months after.He then added that the nation has a "sacred obligation'' to care for the responders and their families.
Congress voted to approve the legislation that would replenish the 9/11 victims compensation fund permanently.
The Senate also voted last week by a count of 97-2, with just Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul voting no, while the House passed the bill earlier this month, 402-12.