Jon Stewart on Tuesday torched lawmakers in emotional testimony for failing to attend a September 11th Victim Compensation Fund hearing, calling it "shameful" and "a stain on this institution."

"As I sit here today, I can't help but think what an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process that getting health care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to," Stewart said at the beginning of his remarks at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on reauthorizing the victim fund.

"Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak, to no one — it's shameful," the former "Daily Show" host said.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves for those that aren't here," Stewart said, his voice wavering at times, "but you won't be, because accountability doesn't appear to be something that occurs in this chamber."

"None of these people want to be here," Stewart continued of the sick and injured survivors. "But they are. And they're not here for themselves. They're here to continue fighting for what's right."

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