Republicans block funding helping veterans exposed to toxic burn pits
Jim Hannan brought this issue up in AB comments section. Been too busy trying to get myself healthy again. Just unbelievable. Republicans want to cut out mandatory spending for veterans.
This would be another time where politicians have used “veterans in need” to pursue their own political agenda. Vietnam vets saw similar issues. The Bush Administration was also shortchanging Iraq Veterans. And now veterans facing extreme health issues are being told to continue to wait. Told to wait until funding decisions as to whether funding is to be mandatory or discretionary.
John Stewart got it right . . .
“Anger as Republicans block bill to help military veterans exposed to toxins” | Republicans | The Guardian, Sam Levine
The comedian Jon Stewart ripped into Republican senators on Wednesday, after they abruptly halted a bipartisan bill that would expand healthcare access for military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
The former host of the Daily Show, who now hosts The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+, has lobbied for the bill.
He called those who switched their votes “stab-vets-in-the-back senators”.
He added:
“PS: fuck the Republican caucus and their empty promise to our veterans.”
The measure, called the Honoring our Pact Act, would make it easier for veterans to access military care related to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and toxins from pits used to burn military waste in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A version of the bill passed the Senate 84-14 earlier this year but was sent back to the House for some technical corrections. It easily passed there.
But on Wednesday, 25 Republican senators who previously supported the measure declined to move it forward.
John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, told CNN Republicans did not back the measure because Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, was blocking votes on amendments Republicans wanted.
Cornyn also said Republicans wanted to negotiate more, in order to cut out some of the mandatory spending contained in the bill.
Stewart called that justification “bullshit”.
Republicans blocked the veterans measure just after Schumer, from New York, and Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, announced they had reached a deal on a sweeping tax and climate measure.
The Schumer-Manchin announcement reportedly caught Republicans off guard after another big measure, to support the US semiconductor industry, passed the chamber earlier in the day.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Jon Tester, the Montana Democrat who chairs the Senate veteran’s affairs committee, said:
“Putting this policy off does nobody any good whatsoever.”
Tester also issued a strongly worded statement, lamenting an “eleventh-hour act of cowardice” and saying:
“Republicans chose today to rob generations of toxic-exposed veterans of the healthcare and benefits they so desperately need – and make no mistake, more veterans will suffer and die as a result.”
Stewart also criticized Patrick Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican, who urged his colleagues to halt the bill because of the way it allocated discretionary funds, Roll Call reported.
Stewart wrote: “Congratulations Senator Toomey. You successfully used the Byzantine Senate rules to keep sick veterans suffering!!!! Kudos!
“I’m sure you’ll celebrate by kicking a dog or punching a baby … or whatever terrible people do for fun!!!!!”
Veterans toxic exposure bill delayed as cloture attempt rejected – Roll Call
Thank you, run75441 for picking up the torch and Marching for the poor US veterans but there are other veterans that are completely overlooked. would you guess that the Ukrainian veterans will be under-served when the time comes. this country is not a wealthy Nation but we do pay our bills and we should take care of Ukrainian vets. it is so easy to see that Ukrainian military personnel are fighting not only for their own country but for the entire free world and we owe them veteran benefits in this country.
Hey! We can pay our debt to these brave fighting personnel.
Justin,
I know you are from somewhere. What if the US rebuilds your country like they helped with western Europe? That is probably what is going to happen. If Zelensky is smart he will make provision for Vets and people hurt by the attacks too.
I see the price of grain going up too.
Justin sort of makes a point, but first we have to figure out what the US—as a country— is going to do to care for those people who fought for the country and are now ill as a result. I also think old people should be worried— If the GOP is willing to touch the third rail of pissing on veterans, nothing is going to stop them from phasing out social security and Medicare. The GOP is out of control and the only solution is to elect Dems.
Terry
The US has always slighted Veterans. It has been a struggle to get VA care and I am not one of the more serious ones.
Given we’re dropping like flies, telling us to hurry up and die.
Two things that really stick with me: the fist-bumps afterwards and the militaristic photo shoot just before. And folks wonder why I am proud of my dishonorable discharge …
Ten Bears
Your discharge means nothing to me. If you are a good person is what matters. I already know you have a brain.
John was/is doing the job our news system should be doing. He is pointing out where the “do nothing” is in the congress.
Daniel;
Yes . . . Someone with a stage to denounce the liars and frauds.
” Your 2022 Republican platform: force 10-year-olds to give birth and fuck the troops”
Past time to tell the obvious truth. Republicans are evil. All of them. They should be shunned. I get sometimes there have to be some deals made, but avoiding them at all costs is the most important step.
Next time I hear someone saying, “we should look for agreements in a bipartisan manner”, my answer will be, “Fuck You, They’re evil.”