Jon Stewart was all smiles before the Senate vote to extend the 9/11 victims and first responders fund — but after it passed, he was sober, gracious and proud.

"It has been the honor of my life to work with the men and women behind me," he said, fronting media alongside his fellow campaigners, first responders, survivors, and lawmakers.

The Senate voted 97-2 to extend funding for the bill until 2092, providing financial support and compensation for people continuing to suffer from health conditions stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, as well as their families.

"Unfortunately the pain and suffering of what these heroes continue to go through is going to continue. There have been too many funerals, too many hospices,” said Stewart.

Jon Stewart says he hopes 9/11 'Heroes' Act begins healing process https://t.co/wtXsAOfc3B pic.twitter.com/yhf0hHKsul — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 24, 2019

“These families deserve better. And I’m hopeful that today begins the process of being able to heal, without the burden of having to advocate.”

Stewart's spent months using his profile to campaign for the bill's passage alongside families and activists from the 9/11 community, writing in an impassioned op-ed in February:

Last week, the Justice Department announced that because of a lack of funding, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) will need to make severe cuts of between 50% and 70% on pending compensation awards for injuries caused by the toxins. This will impact thousands of 9/11 responders, survivors and their families who have been waiting years for help.

This is madness.

“Today is not a celebration. It’s a deep sigh of relief,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, one of the bill's main sponsors.

John Feal, a first responder who embraced Stewart in tears after the bill passed, said there was "no joy" in the victory.

“Yes, I cried with Jon," he said. "But that was to exhale. That was to get 18 years of pain and suffering out.”