26 Apr 2023 18:18:55 "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.". Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made this point in her, "For the Republicans to go to the floor and say their veterans really don't want this help with their health because it's going to cost money and they're more concerned about the budget than they are about their health, oh really? And like Tillis, the senator raised additional concerns with wait times, suggesting the bill increases waiting periods at the VA and does not resolve lengthy backlogs for veterans seeking care. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Hours later, the IRA was announced, much to the GOPs chagrin. Stewart, the former talk show host who's become a high-profile veterans advocate, lambasted the Republican senators in a furious, expletive-laden speech. The legislation also covers health benefits for other veterans exposed to chemicals, such as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, during their military service. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Federal judge rules Pennsylvania school district must allow After School Satan Rices departure brings relief to immigration advocates, Giant seaweed blooms beaching begins, expected to worsen, Lightfoot sends letter to Abbott urging him not to send any more migrants. Forty Republicans voted against expanding access to healthcare to toxin-exposed veterans. 27 Apr 2023 15:51:44 Veterans groups, family members, longtime advocate Jon Stewart and several Democratic lawmakers gathered outside the U.S. Capitol after the vote on Thursday to voice their outrage. "Either way, this is not a good day for veterans in this country," he added. The bill will remove the burden of proof from veterans seeking care for conditions related to exposure from burn pits by presuming a number of conditions, including several cancers, are related to the exposure. Don't ever thank me for my service again.". Biden signs PACT Act to expand healthcare for vets exposed to toxic burn pits, Senate passes bill giving veterans healthcare coverage for burn pit afflictions, Biden signs 9 laws ensuring better healthcare for veterans. Shortly before the Senate voted Tuesday, Paul railed against the bill and said it would put the economy at risk. How do you change your mind right when you're about to make a law that's gonna save lives? #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. Republicans, including McConnell, claimed their opposition to the bill has been rooted in how spending would be approved. I don't think my runtime has ever recovered. Update, August 2, 12:30 pm: This story has been updated to include new information about a Senate vote on this legislation. Cancers and other issues alleged to be related to burn pits can come years later, as happened to Sgt. Robinson died in 2020 of a rare lung cancer he attributed to smoke exposure during his deployment in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. The PACT Act is part of a broader conversation thats happening over veterans rights. The bill now heads to President Biden's desk, and the White House says he looks forward to signing it. May 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. government said Monday that new flights in the East Coast should save commuters time, though recent data show nearly a quarter of passenger flights have been delayed this year. I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". Melissa Quinn contributed to this report. Correction 7/29/22, 9 a.m. Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. pic.twitter.com/l72HcsNJLw. As with most common-sense, good policy ideas right now, the issue at stake is not the House but the Senate. In a 2019 speech to the Service Employees International Union, then-candidate Biden said because of his son's "exposure to burn pits, in my view, I can't prove it yet, he came back with stage four glioblastoma.". WebRT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Republicans just voted to cut the budget of Veterans Affairs. On Thursday, Jon Stewart joined veterans groups in D.C. before the historic vote and spoke about the hope and political will that seemed to becoalescingat the right time. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. WebRepublicans voted against the Pact Act because it would enable $400 billion over the next 10 years in spending completely unrelated to veterans. Speaking for The American Legion during a Thursday press event on Capitol Hill, American Legion Legislative Director Lawrence Montreuil called VOTE QUESTION: On Passage, DESCRIPTION: Honoring our PACT Act, VOTE TYPE: Yea-And-Nay, STATUS: Passed Lorsque vous utilisez nos sites et applications, nous utilisons des, authentifier les utilisateurs, appliquer des mesures de scurit, empcher les spams et les abus; et. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. The 86-to-11 vote was received with cheers from the Senate gallery. Donald Trump's attorney calls for mistrial in E. Jean Carroll case. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. Stewart, 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. And theyre doing so over Republican pushback. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Top News U.S. News Additionally, Sens. Robinsons wife Danielle, an advocate for burn pit exposure victims who have been denied benefits, attended Bidens State of the Union address earlier this year. In a nearly 10-minute speech, Jon Stewart unleashed his vitriol toward Senate Republicans over their votes against advancing the veteran-focused PACT Act.. And at the 11th hour, Sen. Toomey decides that he wants to rewrite the bill," she said. newsletter, telling NBC News that he expects it will pass, However, given the blowback the GOP has faced, veterans activist and former television host John Stewart, protested continually in front of the Capitol, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, attended Bidens State of the Union address. During the defense's cross-examination of E. Jean Carroll, Trump's attorney asked the writer why she "did not scream" when she was "supposedly raped.". Democrats argued the GOP was shifting its position because it was unhappy with a separate deal worked out by Sens. On July 13, the House overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan expanding health care and benefits for toxin-exposed veterans and sent the package back to the Senate with only a minor change. But these 11 GOP senators still voted against the package on final passage. The change effectively lifts a barrier for veterans seeking benefits for toxic exposure. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . The effort to block the legislation caused an uproar among veterans groups, with critics arguing that aid for veterans was being held hostage over GOP opposition to another measure, the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes significant amount of money to combat climate change and lower health care costs. Please enter a valid email and try again. All that means is they don't have to decide between their cancer drugs and their house.". GOP senators vote against PACT act, a bill to help veterans impacted by toxic substances. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for signature. ", Tuberville, expressed his disapproval of the bill Tuesday in a tweet, saying "the bill will enable the VA to efficiently deliver care and benefits to veterans suffering from illnesses related to toxic exposure. After Republicans initially blocked a bill that would expand benefits for veterans exposed to toxins while deployed, the Senate is now poised to pass the legislation in the coming days. Shortly after his floor speech, Toomey told CNN he wants the funding of the bill handled through an annual appropriations process, rather than the current mandatory spending structure basically, that he wants Congress to have to approve funding for the measure every year, rather than for it to be funded automatically. I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". "You think their trouble ends because the Pact Act passes? #ProtectVeteransHealthCare" RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. ), the chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, accused Senate Republicans of turning their backs on veterans and their families, in what he called an unacceptable "slap in the face" to service members. Watch the vote in the player above. Heath Robinson, whom the bill is named after. On Thursday, March 3, 2022, the United States House of Representativespassed HR 3967,the Honoring our PACT Act of 2021. Senate Republicans threatened to burn a bill that would have helped veterans. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider they arent getting the child tax credit anymore. Maybe Manchin can also explain why they arent getting the child tax credit anymore. The bill was approved in the Senate by a vote of 86-11 a week after 41 Republicans elected to stall the final passage of the measure, citing concerns over its cost. "Thanks to President Biden, the millions of veterans who fought our wars for the past 30 years -- who breathed in debris from sandstorms, fumes from burning trash, and more while overseas -- are now taken care of for the conditions that followed them home from war," said Veterans' Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Last week, sudden Republican opposition to the bill, called the PACT Act, left many veterans and their supporters shocked. "They lived up to their oath! A vote on the legislation should happen this week, and, as McConnell suggested, it is expected to pass, regardless of what happens with Toomeys amendment. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont. If the PACT Act were targeted and if we could ensure the implementation of it by the VA would be executed in an efficient manner, I would have But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against advancing it this time. They had voted for it the first time, they changed because they want to protest a separate bill is what I understand, he said. Google Pay. All present Democrats and 8 Republicans voted to advance the legislation but 41 Republican Senators voted against the bill, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn R-TN., That's why we keep our work free. These veterans have waited already too long. 11 Republicans voted against a bill Tuesday that proponents say would help veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service including both of Alabamas senators, Richard Shelby and The bill increases healthcare funding and access for military veterans. We have a collective responsibility to the veterans who have served our country, and I would support legislation that better targets disability eligibility requirements based on scientific evidence and research, the senator added. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. "The embarrassment is just going to keep growing over this," Laura Harth, the campaign director at Safeguard Defenders, told Newsweek. Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. The bill will expand the VAs benefits and services to roughly 3.5 million veterans. I didn't hear anybody complaining about on the other side of the aisle about the impact that had on veterans and their concerns about the fiscal soundness of the United States.. Veterans and their allies have also protested continually in front of the Capitol. In remarks on the Senate floor, he decried it as a "budgetary gimmick" that would create $400 billion in unrelated spending by moving it from the discretionary to mandatory category. In this photo, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted against the bill, answers questions with Republican leaders following the weekly Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on September 16, 2014, in Washington, D.C. SCOTUS Now Just Another Congressional Committee, Secret Chinese Police Stations in Europe Are 'Tip of the Iceberg', Trump's Attorney Just Blew Carroll Rape Case, King Charles Says Royals Require 'Acting Ability', Ukraine Will Regain 'Significant Territory' From Russia, Florida GOP Paves the Way to Help Ron DeSantis Challenge Trump. Heres why. These are all the Republican Senators who voted Trump calls for mistrial in civil rape case, says judge has made Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But a technical error required another vote, and this time, more than two dozen Republicans switched sides. Veterans would not have to prove that their illnesses are directly related to burn pit exposure to receive disability payments and assistance. The PACT Act would expand eligibility We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! Drew Angerer/Getty Images Jon Stewart, Ted Cruz feud over bill to aid veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. It's an outrage and there has to be accountability. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. The Senate on Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved the PACT Act, Twenty-five Republican senators who had voted for the bill in June voted against 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. PACT ACT explained:What's the PACT Act? ", Tillis said through a statement in June that "while well-intentioned, the PACT Act creates new promises to veterans while breaking existing ones, which is why I could not support its passage.". Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in a statement that the "charitable explanation" is that Republicans simply changed their minds, with the alternative being that they "are mad that Democrats are on the verge of passing climate change legislation and have decided to take out their anger on vulnerable veterans.". 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. The Hill has requested comment from Lees office. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. ", Sick veterans demand medical coverage for illnesses caused by burn pits, The abortion ruling has troops and veterans speaking out, some for the first time, Veterans Say 'Burn Pits' Created Toxic Clouds That Made Them Sick, After spiking earlier talks, Manchin agrees to a new deal on climate and taxes, Jon Stewart Uses His Celebrity To Bring Attention To Vets Exposed To Burn Pits. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. "You don't support the troops," he said. That's how we see this discussion and this debate. Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. The GOP came under tremendous pressure to shift from veterans who were camped out on the U.S. Capitol steps. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C. First published on August 2, 2022 / 4:28 PM. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Second of all, youve got no choice, right? The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill. "People tell us, 'we can get this passed in September, or during lame duck,'" he said at the podium. The Senate Republicans who voted against the bill include: Richard Burr of North Carolina, Mike Crapo of Idaho, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, This is exactly how it played out as the final vote was 256-174, with just 34 Republicans voting over the whining criticisms from their fellow GOP members that this bill was too expensive. 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. Toomey argues that this changed designation frees up funds that could be used on items unrelated to veterans. May 1 (UPI) -- A recent decline in retail-level gasoline prices should start to accelerate, provided crude oil prices remain under pressure, a senior market analyst said Monday. My concern about this bill has nothing to do with the purpose of the bill, Toomey said. and after 25 Senators voted against the bipartisan bill. Activists had spent a dozen years campaigning for such an expansion a period during which they lost many of their own, including Sgt. Sens. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. The entire package was expected to cost some $278.5 billion over the next decade, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. "How he convinced 25 of his colleagues to change their vote, I have no idea. On Tuesday night, Lummis said 168,000 vets were currently waiting for VA services, which she called unacceptable.. The Senate voted 84-14 last month in favor of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. You can also contribute via. Instead, in a surprise move, 25 Republican senators blocked the measure on Wednesday even though they had voted in favor of it just one month earlier. However, last week 41Republicans blockedthe final passage of the legislation, arguing about how the legislation will be financed. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . 01 May 2023 00:46:03 Jayapal backs Lee in California Senate race, Two hospitals may have violated federal law in denying woman an emergency abortion, HHS says, Federal judge rules Pennsylvania school district must allow After School Satan Club. The Senate on Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved the PACT Act, a bill to expand health care benefits for veterans who developed illnesses due to their exposure to burn pits during military service. Kos Media, LLC. Thats a bit different from the 363-70 vote on theNational Defense Authorization Acta couple of months ago, where only 19 Republicans were worried about budgets when they added $25 billion on top of the already increased defense budget bill proposed by President Biden. "You support the war machine. Itwas a result of months of bipartisan negotiation, and it had already passed the Senate in June with strong Republican support. 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. "Promises were made and promises were broken," said Kristina Keenan of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 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. The Democratic candidate for an open Senate seat in Missouri, Lucas Kunce, echoed the sentiment in an interview with Vox. 26 Apr 2023 18:30:33 We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been leading opposition to the bill, and voted against it both times. If we pass the PACT Act, as is, that number jumps to over a million, she tweeted, offering another bill from her colleague, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), which would allow veterans to seek care at facilities in their communities. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others attend a news conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday, the day after Senate Republicans blocked a procedural vote to advance PACT Act. The Hill has reached out to all 11. Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Those veterans had a high-profile ally in Jon Stewart, the former Daily Show host. Actions speak louder than words, and you just showed us who you are. Unfortunately, 25 Senators recently voted to block the passage of the PACT Act.
Saved By The Bell: The College Years Pilot,
Bexar County Civil Court,
Buffalo Grove Arrests,
What Is Member Id On Insurance Card Amerigroup?,
South Dakota Emergency Medicine Residency,
Articles W