Senate Republicans threatened to burn a bill that would have helped veterans. First Republic Bank seized by regulators, sold to JPMorgan Chase. You can also contribute via. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. 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. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.". #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . By submitting your email, you agree to our. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Currently, more than 70 percent of disability claims related to burn pit exposure are denied by the VA due to veterans inability to prove their illnesses or cancers are linked to exposure to burn pits. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of trying to block Toomey's amendment. This budgetary gimmick is so unrelated to the actual veterans issue that has to do with burn pits, that its not even in the House version of this bill.. You just gave tax cuts in 2017 to the richest people in America. If you won't vote on this bill, you do not support veterans.". The vote was a surprise, as the bill was originally passed by the Senate 84-14 on June 16 and received overwhelming Republican support. 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. The bill Hours later, the IRA was announced, much to the GOPs chagrin. Toomey discusses why he voted against bill to help vets | July 31, 2022 1:00 AM. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania has objected since June to a provision in the legislation language that would move $400 billion in preexisting discretionary veterans spending to make it mandatory spending. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. 26 Apr 2023 18:30:33 "Kos" and "Daily Kos" are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC. After changes were made, it was expected to breeze through Congress and be signed into law by President Joe Biden. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against Biden, Marcos to discuss U.S.-Philippines partnership in White House meeting. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. What the hell? The PACT Act "expands VA benefits for veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances," according to the VA. Additionally, the law adds more than 20 so-called "presumptive conditions," which don't require veterans to prove their condition is related to military service because it is presumed the health issues are service-related. "Now, more veterans will die waiting for help that was just within our reach but may never come. But the vote was radically different from only a few weeks ago. Stewart noted at one point that the lawmakers being addressed were likely indoors enjoying air conditioning, ignoring the veterans at least one of whom was wearing an oxygen tube braving the scorching heat for over an hour to try to make their point. I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". Tax cuts for the rich, cancer for our veterans. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been leading opposition to the bill, and voted against it both times. How do you change your mind right when you're about to make a law that's gonna save lives? The bill could be called for another vote by its supporters. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. The PACT Act is part of a broader conversation thats happening over veterans rights. 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. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare" RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. A measure that is paid for with mandatory spending generally does not have to be approved each year, as discretionary spending does. Democrats argued the GOP was shifting its position because it was unhappy with a separate deal worked out by Sens. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and The entire package was expected to cost some $278.5 billion over the next decade, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Robinson died in 2020 of a rare lung cancer he attributed to smoke exposure during his deployment in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. ", In an eleventh-hour act of cowardice, Republicans chose today to rob generations of toxic-exposed veterans across this country of the health care and benefits they've earned and so desperately need.Make no mistakethe American people are sick and tired of these games. 27 Apr 2023 15:51:44 New flights available after widespread delays in U.S. air travel. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Veterans would not have to prove that their illnesses are directly related to burn pit exposure to receive disability payments and assistance. In a nearly 10-minute speech, Jon Stewart unleashed his vitriol toward Senate Republicans over their votes against advancing the veteran-focused PACT Act.. RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } How does this happen? 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.. Confirm Anthony Johnstone to the Ninth Circuit, More than 800,000 could flee Sudan amid fighting, UN warns, Biden: Taxpayers not on the hook for First Republic failure, How an Uncommon Table can help bring our divided nation together, passed the Honoring Our PACT Act on Tuesday, Cardin wont seek reelection, opening up Maryland Senate seat, Schumer announces Senate hearings to expose GOP debt limit bill starting this week, EXCLUSIVE: Biden pick to head National Highway Traffic Safety Administration faces GOP roadblock, Montana legislator sues House speaker over censure, Supreme Court to consider overruling Chevron doctrine, McConnell insists hes sitting out debt talks to disbelief, Tucker Carlson, on leaked video, derides Fox streaming service, Senate rankings: Here are the 5 seats most likely to flip. Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. 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. Many of the House supporters of the bill are hopeful that the 40 veterans organizations that are behind it can createthe right amount of pressure to get the Senate to do the right thing. I don't think my runtime has ever recovered. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare" RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Gottheimer recently called on the Senate to pass the PACT Act after last months House passage, and after 25 Senators voted against the bipartisan bill. The bill now heads to President Biden's desk, and the White House says he looks forward to signing it. Can you donate $3 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? Updated on: August 3, 2022 / 8:08 AM 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. Unfortunately, Senator Schumer did not allow an amendment process, so the bill went through as written. "This budgetary gimmick is so unrelated to the actual veterans' issue that has to do with burn pits, that it's not even in the House version of this bill.". 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. Some of those senators are veterans themselves. I mean, youre there, theres nothing else you could do.. "Well, screw that, they don't support veterans. WebRT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Republicans just voted to cut the budget of Veterans Affairs. His expected result came after three Republican-submitted amendments to the bill proposed by Toomey, Blackburn, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. were defeated. Those amendments, Schumer said at a press conference, would be voted on as part of a deal that ensured the passage of the PACT Act. At Vox, we believe that everyone deserves access to information that helps them understand and shape the world they live in. Ernst's office said her opposition was due to the budget issue, while the others did not respond to NPR's request for comment. Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. Unfortunately, 25 Senators recently voted to block the passage of the PACT Act. We should absolutely help veterans who have contracted illnesses as a direct result of toxic exposure during their service. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The act would allow these U.S. veterans to have more access to health care, but Paul said this could have dangerous economic implications. 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. 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. WebRepublicans voted against the Pact Act because it would enable $400 billion over the next 10 years in spending completely unrelated to veterans. Tax cuts for the rich, cancer for our veterans. But a technical error required another vote, and this time, more than two dozen Republicans switched sides. Instead of spending their last days with their families, they fought to help their fellow veterans," wrote veteran Ted Corcoran on Twitter. 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. 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. Today, The Breakfast Club gave Donkey of the Day to the 11 republicans that voted against the PACT Act that would provide aid to Veterans. Actions speak louder than words, and you just showed us who you are. In a statement, the senator said he is committed to ensuring health and disability benefits are provided to veterans exposed to toxic substances while on their tours of duty.. 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. 27 Apr 2023 16:47:42 "My colleagues can make up all sorts of excuses as to why they decided to change their vote for this bill, but the bottom line is, veterans will suffer and die as a result on behalf of these excuses, and that's why we've got to pass this bill," he said. "The Veterans Health Administration welcomed 27,181 new hires in the first six months of the fiscal year, the highest hiring level in history," the VA said. They are: Sens. 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? (PACT) Act on Capitol Hill July 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. We should all take pride in this moment. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. The Democratic candidate for an open Senate seat in Missouri, Lucas Kunce, echoed the sentiment in an interview with Vox. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. The final tally was 55-42 (with three senators abstaining), falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The protests and publicity are challenging the traditional narrative that the Republican Party stands by US troops. Please enter a valid email and try again. These people thought they could finally breathe," Stewart said. "This is a sad day in the U.S. Senate," Chairman of the Senate's Veterans' Affairs (VA) Committee and Montana's Democratic Senator Jon Tester said after the vote. 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. First Class Heath Robinson, for whom the bill is named. 1 killed in shooting at Massachusetts house party, Daughter of Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Shaquil Barrett drowns in family pool, Chicago mayor calls on Texas to cease sending migrants to the city, Biden shows support for free press at White House Correspondents' dinner. May 1 (UPI) -- El Paso, Texas, will enter a state of emergency starting Monday, in advance of the pandemic-era immigration policy Title 42 being lifted, the border city's mayor, Oscar Leeser, declared. Remember that along with all the ones that voted against the PACT Act. hide caption. U.S. soldiers have been exposed to a large number of toxins in various conflicts, including Iraq (pictured), where burning oil wells released toxic fumes. 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. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.". So, I voted yes on a procedural vote to allow the Senate to begin debate on the bill. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. It was difficult and painful to breathe. 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. Steve Daines and Roger Wicker voted against the bill after not voting in June. Drew Angerer/Getty Images "Advocates died fighting for this bill. In June, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision in favor of a veteran whose case was related to burn pit exposure in Torres v. Texas Department of Public Safety. The 55-42 vote failed to meet the 60 votes necessary to advance the legislation. 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. Veteran AffairsCommittee chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) praised the work that was done on the bill he brought to the floor last year, saying,This fight is not over, but I will not rest until our veterans have a guarantee in statute that their government will take care of them when they come homeno matter the cost.. Don't ever thank us for our service again. Cancers and other issues alleged to be related to burn pits can come years later, as happened to Sgt. Kunce said he felt that many in the armed services assumed they wouldnt be put in such a harmful situation. American Airlines pilots authorize strike. If it were to fail, the GOP would again find itself at the center of protests and accusations the party would like to avoid ahead of the midterms. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont. That's how we see this discussion and this debate. 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.". Meet the candidates and likely candidates vying for your vote, Trump arrives in Scotland to open golf course. With a slight majority that can be filibustered awayand at least two Democratic senators that have shown their corrupt asses by disappointing the American people, the absolutely made up right-wing trope of fiscal conservative concernmay leadto an unconscionablecompromise. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! You just gave tax cuts in 2017 to the richest people in America. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. they arent getting the child tax credit anymore. Speaking for The American Legion during a Thursday press event on Capitol Hill, American Legion Legislative Director Lawrence Montreuil called I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". As with most common-sense, good policy ideas right now, the issue at stake is not the House but the Senate. Unfortunately, 25 Senators recently voted to block the passage of the PACT Act. Foreclosures are up. Daily Kos moves in solidarity with the Black community. He served near a burn pit during his deployments to Kosovo and Iraq with the Ohio National Guard, and died of a rare cancer in 2020. 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. "They lived up to their oath! Sign up for notifications from Insider! Fortunately, the PACT Act has passed both chambers and was signed into law by the President today. Forty Republicans voted against expanding access to healthcare to toxin-exposed veterans. 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. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en cliquant sur le lien Tableau de bord sur la vie prive prsent sur nos sites et dans nos applications. 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., We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against "When you have cancer, when you're sick, a month, two months is a lifetime, both figuratively and possibly literally. 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. Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. The bill contains two major components: a grace period for veterans who served near burn pits to get medical care, and a policy that tells the VA how to approach certain illnesses and cancers. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against advancing it this time. Of the 42 senators who voted against the Pact ACT, 41 were Republicans. Acknowledging the public pressure, McConnell told NBCs Ali Vitali, Yeah, itll pass this week on Monday. WebRT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Republicans just voted to cut the budget of Veterans Affairs. The bill like many issues related to veterans' health had amassed deep bipartisan support, and easily passed the Senate by an 84-14 vote in June. Crowds, high prices and the White Lotus effect: Worst places to travel Facebook privacy settlement: Who is eligible for a payment? "I choked on the odor from the winds when they would pick up after a while. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . All 11 votes against the measure came from Republicans. 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. 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. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade. ", 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. ", Mr. Biden said after the vote that he looks forward to signing the bill "so that veterans and their families and caregivers impacted by toxic exposures finally get the benefits and comprehensive health care they earned and deserve. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. Opposition from 25 Republican senators who changed their vote, citing concerns over how the measure was funded, stymied the bill last Wednesday. and after 25 Senators voted against the bipartisan bill. ), 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. The U.S. Senate passed the Honoring Our PACT Act on Tuesday night in an 86-11 vote, expanding health care for 3.5 million of Americas veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits in the post 9/11-era. Remember that along with all the ones that voted against the PACT Act. 27 Apr 2023 16:47:42 First Class Heath Robinson, hugs Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) during Thursday's news conference. pic.twitter.com/w2ZUcGzGpT. Republicans are mad that Democrats are on the verge of passing climate change legislation and have decided to take out their anger on vulnerable veterans, Murphy argued. 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. trillion dollar corporate tax cutBost helped pass in 2017. deemed mentally incompetent the right to continue to own firearms, "I choked on the odor from the winds when they would pick up after a while. 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. The bill will fund research and benefits for as many as 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during service. The measure, known as the PACT Actor the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic bill, passed with an 86-11 vote. Kos Media, LLC. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas.
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