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The Senate will vote next week on a House-passed bill to extend the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) locked in votes for Tuesday afternoon after senators announced a deal to take up the bill on the Senate floor earlier Thursday. As part of the agreement they are expected to also vote on two amendments to the bill, one from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and one from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). (Carney, 7/18)

Sen. Rand Paul escalated a fight with Jon Stewart Thursday, saying the former TV show host didn’t have his facts straight when he lambasted the Kentucky Republican for blocking speedy passage on a bill to provide health care to 9/11 first responders. The blast at Stewart — calling him a “guttersnipe” on Fox News — came hours after supporters of the legislation announced that the legislation will come to the floor for a vote on Tuesday — along with a proposal by Paul to slash federal funding to pay for the measure. (Clark, 7/18)