We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". Kunce served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine officer and was deployed in Iraq where he was stationed near a burn pit and developed a post-nasal drip due to his exposure. These veterans have waited already too long. McCarthy to Russian reporter: I do not support what your country has done to Saudi alfalfa sparks tension in Arizonas Sonoran Desert. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the WASHINGTON - Eleven Republicans voted Tuesday against a billthat fundsresearch and benefits for as much as 3.5 million veterans who were impacted by toxic substances while they served. Republicans decision to oppose the bill has been met with massive backlash; veterans activist and former television host John Stewart has made numerous appearances calling on the GOP to return to backing the bill, including on Fox News. The GOP came under tremendous pressure to shift from veterans who were camped out on the U.S. Capitol steps. Itwas a result of months of bipartisan negotiation, and it had already passed the Senate in June with strong Republican support. Unfortunately, Senator Schumer did not allow an amendment process, so the bill went through as written. "I choked on the odor from the winds when they would pick up after a while. Fortunately, the PACT Act has passed both The bill will expand the VAs benefits and services to roughly 3.5 million veterans. House passes PACT Act with 174 Republicans voting against veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, two Democratic senators that have shown their corrupt asses, the absolutely made up right-wing trope of fiscal conservative concern, Illinois Republican paper-punchingbezerker man Rep. Mike Bost. Heath Robinson, whom the bill is named after. When we decide we need to engage and initiate in a military action, we should understand that the cost is not just in our defense budget, but also in our veterans budget when they come home. In fact, Pelosi went on, the cost of this bill is a fraction if we're talking budget of the cost of the Republican tax bill that they passed in 2017, which added $2 trillion to the national debt. April 26 (UPI) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that more than 500,000 claims have been filed since President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law in August. Toomey led the opposition effort to the bill last week when he complained about the mandatory spending, which he called a budgetary gimmick on the Senate floor. The bill would also expand support for Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in places like American Samoa, Cambodia, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Laos and Thailand. Senate passes burn pit legislation to expand veteran Veterans, military family members and advocates rally outside the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in support of a bill that enhances health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to the toxic burn pits. Now we will see if Republicans and Joe Manchin can figure out a way to tell veterans that while we can pay for them to go abroad and get sick and die for our country, we cant afford to take care of them when they come home. Don't ever thank us for our service again. Some Democratic lawmakers have offered alternative explanations for their colleagues' sudden switch, noting that it comes just after they reached an agreement of their own on a separate reconciliation bill. The bill was only expected to pass in the House because the Democratic Party holds the majority of seats. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. Senate passes veteran burn pit legislation after GOP #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. The PACT Act is part of a broader conversation thats happening over veterans rights. Second of all, youve got no choice, right? The ruling allowed US Army veteran Le Roy Torres to sue the state of Texas after losing his job due to an injury he received while serving. Hours later, the IRA was announced, much to the GOPs chagrin. Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. PACT ACT First Class Heath Robinson, for whom the bill is named. Bost did try to push that amendment and Bost didnt vote for the bill, saying the increased spending of $208 billion over the next 10years was wildly expensive.Not as expensive as a trillion dollar corporate tax cutBost helped pass in 2017. News emerged that there is an agreement that makes it likely that a climate change bill is going to proceed on the Senate floor, and magically 30 votes flip.. Open-air burning of trash and other waste has been a common practice in the military for decades. "You think their trouble ends because the Pact Act passes? However, the scope and cost of this bill is astronomical and unjustified, he said, according to the remarks forwarded to The Hill. The bill easily passed the Senate in June only 14 GOP senators voted against it and the House followed suit a couple of weeks ago, passing the measure 342 to 88. Some of those senators are veterans themselves. Only one Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted against the bill. Two Democrats and one Republican abstained, while 47 Democrats, 8 Republicans and 2 independents voted to pass the bill. The vote was a surprise, as the bill was originally passed by the Senate 84-14 on June 16 and received overwhelming Republican support. At Vox, we believe that everyone deserves access to information that helps them understand and shape the world they live in. We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! Marcia S Newman on Twitter: "RT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Watching the final vote from the Senate gallery Tuesday night, comedian Jon Stewart, a vocal advocate for the bill and veterans, could be seen with tears in his eyes. McConnell vowed not to allow a bipartisan technology bill championed by Schumer, the CHIPS Act, to clear the Senate so long as the proposal that became the Inflation Reduction Act was on the table. S. 3373: Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Please enter valid email address to continue. As Title 42 comes to an end, El Paso declares state of emergency. First Republic Bank seized by regulators, sold to JPMorgan Chase. 27 Apr 2023 15:51:44 The new legislation would expand care to 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to burn pits, adding 23 toxic and burn pit exposure-related illnesses to the VA database. Marcia S Newman on Twitter: "RT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Schumer has said he would schedule another procedural vote for Monday. We don't have billionaire backers like some right-wing media outlets. If you won't vote on this bill, you do not support veterans.". These 41 Senate Republicans Voted Against Veterans - N VA marks half-a-million PACT Act claims filed in latest Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. The Hill has reached out to all 11. May 1 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the censuring of transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who has been barred from attending remaining sessions of the state House in person. VOTE QUESTION: On Passage, DESCRIPTION: Honoring our PACT Act, VOTE TYPE: Yea-And-Nay, STATUS: Passed The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. In remarks on the Senate floor, he decried it as a "budgetary The Senate finally was poised to pass a bill that would provide health care and benefits for millions of veterans injured by exposure to toxins, from Agent Orange in Vietnam to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shortly before the Senate voted Tuesday, Paul railed against the bill and said it would put the economy at risk. Acknowledging the public pressure, McConnell told NBCs Ali Vitali, Yeah, itll pass this week on Monday. The bill initially passed the House and Senate in June, but due to a snag in the language, it had to go back to the House and Senate before it could be sent to President Biden's desk. May 1 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden will meet with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos at the White House Monday to reaffirm U.S. defense commitments in Southeast Asia and to discuss ways to shore up an expanding military alliance. 27 Apr 2023 16:47:42 Trump motion to declare mistrial in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, likely damaging hundreds of homes, First Republic Bank seized by regulators, then sold to JPMorgan Chase, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, Supreme Court to hear case that could curb power of federal agencies, Mental health of LGBTQ youth worsening in current "hostile political climate", Waiter killed, woman wounded in shooting at popular New Orleans restaurant, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo found dead at 46, Senate passes aid for vets harmed by burn pits, Senate passes aid for veterans harmed by burn pits. ", Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. Nick Knudsen on Twitter: "RT @sfpelosi: Extreme If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Nick Knudsen on Twitter: "RT @sfpelosi: Extreme Steve Daines and Roger Wicker voted against the bill after not voting in June. All that means is they don't have to decide between their cancer drugs and their house.". Stewart, the former talk show host who's become a high-profile veterans advocate, lambasted the Republican senators in a furious, expletive-laden speech. A spokesperson for Rischs office said the senator was a strong supporter of veterans but did not support the $400 billion in mandatory spending. Half our revenue comes from readers like you, meaning we literally couldn't do this work without you. Correction 7/29/22, 9 a.m. Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. RELEASE: President Signs Gottheimer Provision into Eleven Republican senators voted Tuesday against a bipartisan measure, the PACT Act, that is designed to help veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals while deployed abroad. These 41 Senate Republicans Voted Against Veterans' What is the PACT Act? Biden signs bill to help vets It was difficult and painful to breathe. It could also allow Democrats to effectively spend the same money twice and enable hundreds of billions in new, unrelated spending on the discretionary side of the federal budget, McConnell said on Thursday. RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. A bill aimed at protecting veterans exposed to toxic materials during their service was shut down yesterday in the Senate, in a 55 to 42 vote that failed to meet the 60-vote threshold necessary to advance the legislation. He also slammed Toomey's characterization of the bill's spending provision as a "slush fund," saying that the U.S. has much bigger funds without guardrails in support of its defense budget and overseas military operations. The VA also announced a significant increase in staffing. Updated on: August 3, 2022 / 8:08 AM Speaking at Thursday's press conference, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) called the situation "the worst form of overt politicization I've literally ever seen" and urged people to make sure those 25 senators understand that "they have just sentenced veterans to death because they will not have the healthcare they have earned. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Robinson died in 2020 of a rare lung cancer he attributed to smoke exposure during his deployment in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. Fourteen Republicans Voted Against Bill Expanding The final tally was 55-42 (with three senators abstaining), falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. voted Cotton, Ernst, Sullivan are veterans, and they are delaying healthcare for some of the men and women that they served with.". 26 Apr 2023 18:30:33 RELEASE: President Signs Gottheimer Provision into