I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. But a technical error required another vote, and this time, more than two dozen Republicans switched sides. The bill was only expected to pass in the House because the Democratic Party holds the majority of seats. McCarthy to Russian reporter: I do not support what your country has done to Saudi alfalfa sparks tension in Arizonas Sonoran Desert. The measure, known as the PACT Actor the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic bill, passed with an 86-11 vote. Last week, sudden Republican opposition to the bill, called the PACT Act, left many veterans and their supporters shocked. Open-air burning of trash and other waste has been a common practice in the military for decades. I don't think my runtime has ever recovered. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against Melissa Quinn contributed to this report. The GOP came under tremendous pressure to shift from veterans who were camped out on the U.S. Capitol steps. Daily Kos moves in solidarity with the Black community. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against I mean, youre there, theres nothing else you could do.. 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. Donald Trump's attorney calls for mistrial in E. Jean Carroll case. Shelby tweeted Tuesday night that he remained a strong advocate for our veterans but could not support the $400 billion mandatory spending provision. RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Heath Robinson, whom the bill is named after. ", 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. Toomey argues that this changed designation frees up funds that could be used on items unrelated to veterans. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. All that means is they don't have to decide between their cancer drugs and their house.". ", 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. "Well, screw that, they don't support veterans. But supporters of the bill noted that Republicans had previously supported the measures mandatory spending. 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. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that over 500,000 claims have been filed since President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law Schumer, who had voted 'yes' the previous time and strongly supports the bill, changed his vote to 'no' as a simple procedural move allowing him to reconsider the cloture vote at any time. Speaking for The American Legion during a Thursday press event on Capitol Hill, American Legion Legislative Director Lawrence Montreuil called Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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. "I hope we learn a lesson. Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. The vote was a surprise, as the bill was originally passed by the Senate 84-14 on June 16 and received overwhelming Republican support. The bill, which was brought forward by Tester and Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, called for the expansion of healthcare and disability benefits for veterans who had been exposed to toxic materials during their military service. And theyre doing so over Republican pushback. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a situation where people who have already given so much had to fight so hard to get so little," he said after the vote. May 1 (UPI) -- Former President Donald Trump on Monday morning requested a mistrial in E. Jean Carroll's federal civil lawsuit against him, charging that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has made numerous "unfair" rulings against him. Steve Daines and Roger Wicker voted against the bill after not voting in June. "Sens. We've got to pass this now.". May 1 (UPI) -- Pushing for higher wages and retirement contributions, the union representing pilots for American Airlines said Monday that members have voted to strike. The plus side is that Good job, buddy! These are the Republican Senators who voted against the bill: John A. Barrasso, WY 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. Remember that along with all the ones that voted against the PACT Act. The Hill has requested comment from Lees office. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been leading opposition to the bill, and voted against it both times. Tom Porter, the executive vice president for government affairs at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, noted that many of the 25 senators issued press releases touting their earlier votes in support of veterans, only to turn their backs on them. "You don't support the troops," he said. Stewart, the former talk show host who's become a high-profile veterans advocate, lambasted the Republican senators in a furious, expletive-laden speech. While not all Republican senators who voted against the bill talked publicly about why they did so, Republican Senator Toomey said on the Senate floor that he voted against the bill because it would create $400 billion in unrelated spending. 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. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. Nevertheless, senators voted for the measure overwhelmingly. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Bob Carey of the veterans' service organization Independence Fund urged senators to stay overnight and into the weekend if needed, even offering to bring coffee, donuts and barbecue if it would help get the job done quickly. 26 Apr 2023 18:54:28 ", Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal had a message for the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday night: "I have a message to the VA: You better get it right. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare . My concern about this bill has nothing to do with the purpose of the bill, Toomey said. 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. The bill could be called for another vote by its supporters. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. Crowds, high prices and the White Lotus effect: Worst places to travel Facebook privacy settlement: Who is eligible for a payment? 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. Ways to get involved in the upcoming elections. The entire package was expected to cost some $278.5 billion over the next decade, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. pic.twitter.com/l72HcsNJLw. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. But is the housing market headed for a crash? The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. WASHINGTON - Eleven Republicans voted Tuesday against a bill that funds research and benefits for as much as 3.5 million veterans who were impacted by toxic substances while they served. The measure, known as the PACT Act or the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic bill, passed with an 86-11 vote. 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. 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. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, otherwise known as the PACT Act, was introduced in June by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, with the aim to address and fund health care, research, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, including burn pits large trenches dug to burn and dispose of sewage, medical waste, and other trash during their service. Many veterans come home suffering from serious short- and long-termillnessesrelated to this kind of exposure to toxic substances. 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 "When you have cancer, when you're sick, a month, two months is a lifetime, both figuratively and possibly literally. Please enter valid email address to continue. These 41 Senate Republicans Voted Against Veterans - N ", 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. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on climate change, health care and taxes. 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. 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 Senate voted 86-11 on Tuesday to approve the PACT Act. Crapo told The Hill he has co-sponsored four other bills in the Senate that would address veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and related injuries. But those same spending concerns didn't seem to pose an initial concern for the more than two dozen Republicans who voted for it last month only to abruptly change their stance. I want to know that the VA can implement this comprehensive bill in a fair and effective way, and right now, I am not confident that that is the case, the senator wrote. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Of the 42 senators who voted against the PACT Act, 41 were Republicans. Of the 42 senators who voted against the PACT Act, 41 were Republicans. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against advancing it this time. The VA also announced a significant increase in staffing. Second of all, youve got no choice, right? 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 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.". 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 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. His office has said his proposed technical fix wouldn't reduce any spending on veterans or limit the expansion of care. GasBuddy: Decline in retail gasoline prices gaining momentum. The final tally was 55-42 (with three senators abstaining), falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Itwas a result of months of bipartisan negotiation, and it had already passed the Senate in June with strong Republican support. 27 Apr 2023 16:47:42 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. We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! / CBS News. "How he convinced 25 of his colleagues to change their vote, I have no idea. The bill will expand the VAs benefits and services to roughly 3.5 million veterans. "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. 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. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade. 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. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for signature. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. "More than 3 million veterans have received VA's new toxic exposure screenings since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law, with approximately 42% reporting a concern of exposure," the VA said. You better deliver. 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. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against The fight to make it harder for landlords to evict their tenants, On Succession, Sisyphus rolls the rock uphill. 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. Biden welcomes small business owners to White House to highlight economic growth. It was difficult and painful to breathe. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. 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. 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. Drew Angerer/Getty Images 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. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care. they arent getting the child tax credit anymore. Actions speak louder than words, and you just showed us who you are. "This is a wonderful moment, especially for all the people who have made this happen who are observing it," Schumer said after the vote. 26Perhaps the biggest federal health care benefit for veterans in generations continues to get attention. "To date, VA has awarded more than $1 billion in earned benefits to Veterans and survivors who filed PACT Act-related claims," the VA said in a press release Wednesday. But the vote was radically different from only a few weeks ago. NOW WATCH: Meet the Republicans who are Trump's likely successors. 27 Apr 2023 15:51:44 Pelosi made that point doubly clear at her press conference after the bill passed,saying,"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? I just can't take a deep breath anymore.". #ProtectVeteransHealthCare" RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. 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. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against Cancers and other issues alleged to be related to burn pits can come years later, as happened to Sgt. Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. "I choked on the odor from the winds when they would pick up after a while. 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. 27 Apr 2023 16:47:42 New flights available after widespread delays in U.S. air travel. 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. We CANNOT trust the same extreme MAGA Republicans who voted against PACT ACT vets cancer care to fund it - they wont! Tonight, the Senate voted to give us the chance to fix a completely unnecessary budget gimmick in the underlying text of the PACT Act. Of the 42 senators who voted against the Pact ACT, 41 were Republicans. That's how we see this discussion and this debate.". Kos Media, LLC. 26 Apr 2023 18:16:45 Apr. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. American Airlines pilots authorize strike. 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. Last week, sudden Republican opposition to the bill, called the PACT Act, left many veterans and their supporters shocked. Ron DeSantis. These are all the Republican Senators who voted 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: Senators, congressmen voted no. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. He ultimately did not support the PACT Act because he said it authorized a slush fund in mandatory spending. Meet the candidates and likely candidates vying for your vote, Trump arrives in Scotland to open golf course. After I got home, I had bronchitis for a year. Actions speak louder than words, and you just showed us who you are. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. First Class Heath Robinson, hugs Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) during Thursday's news conference. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. 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.. Top News U.S. News 26 Apr 2023 18:30:33 THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. The block caused backlash from veterans groups, lawmakers, and comedian and veterans' advocate Jon Stewart. You just gave tax cuts in 2017 to the richest people in America. 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. 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. However, last week 41Republicans blockedthe final passage of the legislation, arguing about how the legislation will be financed. 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. Last week, sudden Republican opposition to the bill, called the PACT Act, left many veterans and their supporters shocked. Stewart has been on Capitol Hill rallying support for the bill and pressuring senators to pass it. (PACT) Act on Capitol Hill July 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. In his speech, Biden laid out his support for enhancing veterans benefits as part of his so-called bipartisan unity agenda which, among other things, focuses on the commitment to veterans by delivering on promises made regarding health care, mental health, and homelessness. Democrats announced that a deal on the social and climate spending had stalled, perhaps indefinitely, and the CHIPS bill was allowed to move forward. 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. The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. Robinson died in 2020 of a rare lung cancer he attributed to smoke exposure during his deployment in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. WebRepublicans voted against the Pact Act because it would enable $400 billion over the next 10 years in spending completely unrelated to veterans. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. 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. WebRT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Republicans just voted to cut the budget of Veterans Affairs. During hearings, veteran and director of health policy at the American LegionKatie Purswelltold Congress that her exposure to burn pits during her time stationed overseas has left her weakened. "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. Unfortunately, 25 Senators recently voted to block the passage of the PACT Act. pic.twitter.com/TAuE12G8l0. The legislation will expand benefits for an estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 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. 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.. So, I voted yes on a procedural vote to allow the Senate to begin debate on the bill. pic.twitter.com/w2ZUcGzGpT. These people thought they could finally breathe," Stewart said. 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. Veterans groups and activists are slamming Senate Republicans for blocking the measure, and have pledged to keep lobbying for it. 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. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. He has said the GOP senators vote against PACT act, a bill to help veterans impacted by toxic substances. 01 May 2023 00:46:03 Google Pay. Watch the vote in the player above. ", 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. Don't ever thank us for our service again. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Something went wrong. 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. It was difficult and painful to breathe. ", Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made this point in her remarks before the bill was passed, reminding the House GOP that The budget costs of it are a cost of war. Tax cuts for the rich, cancer for our veterans. 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. I started waking up with bloody noses. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Tax cuts for the rich, cancer for our veterans. You just gave tax cuts in 2017 to the richest people in America. "Every single one has pictures with veterans on their Facebook pages, on their websites," said Susan Zeier, Heath Robinson's mother-in-law, outside the Capitol as her 9-year-old granddaughter wept nearby. 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. The bill will expand the VAs benefits and services to roughly 3.5 million 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. Support our mission and help keep Vox free for all by making a financial contribution to Vox today. Forty Republicans voted against expanding access to healthcare to toxin-exposed veterans. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword, Sign up for the As most of us know, the GOPespecially under Minority Leader Mitch McConnellhas never done the right thing, so hopefully the pressure of midterm elections will force a few conservative senators to support the outcome of the wars they so love having kids fight for them and their donors. Before the vote on final passage, the Senate agreed to three cost-controlling amendments on the bill, which led a number of Republicans to back it. If you won't vote on this bill, you do not support veterans.". 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. I want to support the PACT Act, but this budget gimmick must be fixed., In a Twitter thread on Tuesday night, Tuberville said he was concerned about the many provisions in the bill that require amending to ensure the VA can deliver on this law.. The Senate on Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved the PACT Act, Twenty-five Republican senators who had voted for the bill in June voted against

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