(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A day after comedian Jon Stewart scolded Congress about dwindling resources in a fund set aside to help 9/11 first-responders, a U.S. House committee has approved a measure that would permanently replenish it.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund on Wednesday, CBS News reported.
The proposal must clear the full House before it can go to the Senate, where its future is less certain.
In 2001, he rushed to New York, along with colleagues, to help in New York.
He believes that led to his leukemia diagnosis in 2004. Noonan is now 72 and in remission. He said he hopes the fund will be re-authorized so it will be there if he ever needs it.
"Thank God for Jon Stewart speaking his mind. He opened up a lot of their eyes, I think,” Noonan said.