risked their lives on september 11th. cheering from above the senate floor. >> expression of approval is not permitted in the gallery. >> reporter: as the bill passes to permanently pay for the 9/11 victim compensation fund. >> the yeas are 97, the nays are 2. the bill is passed. >> reporter: the two senators voting no, republicans mike lee and rand paul. both introducing measures to cap pay outs, which failed. >> this should never have been a fight. >> reporter: the compensation fund had been running short on money. recently gaining nationwide attention following passionate pleas for support fro first responders and comedian jon stewart. >> your indifference costs these men and women their most valuable commodity, time. >> reporter: stewart back on capitol hill today. >> we'll spend some time today thinking about the friends that we've lost, who gave their last