", 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., 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. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! WebRepublicans voted against the Pact Act because it would enable $400 billion over the next 10 years in spending completely unrelated to veterans. Ways to get involved in the upcoming elections. Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. ", Susan Zeier, mother-in-law of the late Sgt. 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. It was difficult and painful to breathe. 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. 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. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Remember that along with all the ones that voted against the PACT Act. Oops. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. But, last week more than two dozen Republicans who voted for the bill in June voted against 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. 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.". The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. "When you have cancer, when you're sick, a month, two months is a lifetime, both figuratively and possibly literally. Biden, Marcos to discuss U.S.-Philippines partnership in White House meeting. Google Pay. The 86-to-11 vote was received with cheers from the Senate gallery. WebRT @RedTRaccoon: 217 Republicans just voted to cut the budget of Veterans Affairs. Can you donate $3 right now to help Daily Kos keep fighting? Congress has an obligation to ensure the VA can effectively and efficiently implement any comprehensive toxic exposure legislation and, unfortunately, I continue to have reservations about the Departments ability to do so, he told the news outlet. And at the 11th hour, Sen. Toomey decides that he wants to rewrite the bill," she said. After I got home, I had bronchitis for a year. 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. Correction 7/29/22, 9 a.m. 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. 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 veterans have waited already too long. Advertisement. How do you change your mind right when you're about to make a law that's gonna save lives? 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. 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. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. Veterans would not have to prove that their illnesses are directly related to burn pit exposure to receive disability payments and assistance. On Tuesday night, Lummis said 168,000 vets were currently waiting for VA services, which she called unacceptable.. I don't think my runtime has ever recovered. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade. Toomey argues that this changed designation frees up funds that could be used on items unrelated to veterans. https://newsweek.com/why-veteran-health-care-bill-was-smacked-down-republicans-1729230 YOU need to stop the lying. 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. Second of all, youve got no choice, right? 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. The plus side is that "This is a wonderful moment, especially for all the people who have made this happen who are observing it," Schumer said after the vote. 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.. However, last week 41Republicans blockedthe final passage of the legislation, arguing about how the legislation will be financed. Here are the 11 senators who opposed the bill: PACT ACT passes: Senate passes PACT Act, latest effort in yearslong fight to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, Toomey, who led the opposition to the measure, said in a tweet,"Tonight, the Senate voted to give us the chance to fix a completely unnecessary budget gimmick in the underlying text of the PACT Act. Sens. Crowds, high prices and the White Lotus effect: Worst places to travel Facebook privacy settlement: Who is eligible for a payment? 27 Apr 2023 15:51:44 The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 86-11. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Updated on: August 3, 2022 / 8:08 AM "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. You better deliver. WebRT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. Many took to the podium at Thursday's press conference to demand accountability and further action, calling on lawmakers not to leave for August recess until they can pass the bill. Steve Daines and Roger Wicker voted against the bill after not voting in June. The legislation again passed the House but failed to advance beyond a procedural vote in the Senate last week. 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. First Class Heath Robinson, hugs Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) during Thursday's news conference. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare. The PACT Act will secure benefits and care for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan-era veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving overseas. 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. The secret delegate battle that will decide the 2024 Republican nominee, The Dark Brandonmeme and why the Biden campaign has embraced it explained. #ProtectVeteransHealthCare" RT @sfpelosi: Extreme MAGA Republicans say they love our vets til its time to honor their service by funding their earned benefits. You just gave tax cuts in 2017 to the richest people in America. 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.". The protests and publicity are challenging the traditional narrative that the Republican Party stands by US troops. However, given the blowback the GOP has faced following its failure in the Senate last week, the party is likely more open to finding a compromise to quickly move it forward. ", 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. Drew Angerer/Getty Images But the vote was radically different from only a few weeks ago. 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. We should absolutely help veterans who have contracted illnesses as a direct result of toxic exposure during their service. ET: This article was updated to correct that veterans were exposed to burn pits before 9/11. That's how we see this discussion and this debate. The act would allow these U.S. veterans to have more access to health care, but Paul said this could have dangerous economic implications. Shortly before the Senate voted Tuesday, Paul railed against the bill and said it would put the economy at risk. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that more than 500,000 claims have been filed since President Biden signed the PACT Act, which makes it easier for veterans to file claims based on exposure to toxic substances. 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. 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. Don't ever thank us for our service again. Senate Republicans threatened to burn a bill that would have helped veterans. 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. 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. WebRepublicans voted against the Pact Act because it would enable $400 billion over the next 10 years in spending completely unrelated to 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. 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. In a Facebook live video Tuesday night, Lankford said the legislation limits access to outside physicians, creating roadblocks for veterans who wish to seek care at places other than the VA. Many want to go to a family physician or one thats closer to them, Lankford said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Additionally, Sens. The bill was only expected to pass in the House because the Democratic Party holds the majority of seats.
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