Posted on Aug 3, 2022
The Senate passes help for veterans exposed to toxins, after a reversal drew fury
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https://www.npr.org/2022/08/02/ [login to see] /pact-act-veterans-burn-pits-toxins-passes-senate
The U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan 86-11 vote, approved a measure to provide health care and benefits for millions of veterans injured by exposure to toxins, from Agent Orange in Vietnam to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Known as the PACT Act, the bill no longer would force generations of veterans to prove that their illness was caused by toxic exposures suffered in the military in order to get VA coverage. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade.
The House passed the measure in July. President Biden, who supports the PACT Act, is expected to sign it into law.
The U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan 86-11 vote, approved a measure to provide health care and benefits for millions of veterans injured by exposure to toxins, from Agent Orange in Vietnam to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Known as the PACT Act, the bill no longer would force generations of veterans to prove that their illness was caused by toxic exposures suffered in the military in order to get VA coverage. It had been hailed as the largest expansion of care in VA history, and was expected to cost $280 billion over a decade.
The House passed the measure in July. President Biden, who supports the PACT Act, is expected to sign it into law.
The Senate passes help for veterans exposed to toxins, after a reversal drew fury
Posted from npr.org
Burn Pits
Hazmat
Medical
Health
United States Senate
Posted >1 y ago
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I do not understand how someone would be able to follow their conscience if they voted NO on this. I fully get why some oppose the spending part of this but they need to put that consideration second to the supporting those who went into danger for our country.
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PO3 Thomas O'Brien
It's easy to understand when only 40%, $280B, of the total bill goes to what it was initially intended, and the other 60%, $400B, is "discretionary spending". The $400B stays forever. It would've been a no brainer had they kept it at $280.
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About time! I would like to hear the explanations from the 16 who did not vote or voted Nay - (https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00230.htm)
Let's take a look at them:
No Military Service - NOT A SINGLE DAY!:
Burr (R-NC), Nay https://www.burr.senate.gov/senator-burr
Crapo (R-ID), Nay https://www.crapo.senate.gov/about/about-mike
Lankford (R-OK), Nay https://www.lankford.senate.gov/about/bio
Lee (R-UT), Nay https://www.lee.senate.gov/about-mike
Lummis (R-WY), Nay https://www.lummis.senate.gov/about-cynthia/
* Paul (R-KY), Nay https://www.paul.senate.gov/about-rand
Risch (R-ID), Nay https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
Romney (R-UT), Nay https://www.romney.senate.gov/biography/
** Rounds (R-SD), Nay https://www.rounds.senate.gov/about-mike/biography
Shelby (R-AL), Nay https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
Thune (R-SD), Nay https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
*** Tillis (R-NC), Nay https://www.tillis.senate.gov/about-thom
Toomey (R-PA), Nay https://www.toomey.senate.gov/about/about-pat
**** Tuberville (R-AL), Nay https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/about/
Daines (R-MT), Not Voting https://www.daines.senate.gov/meet-steve/biography
* Medical Physician
** On Senate Armed Services Committee
*** On both Senate Armed Services Committee & Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
****"...Tuberville was inspired to serve in Congress by his father, a World War II veteran and recipient of five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, who instilled in him the values of patriotism, work ethic, and grit. Tuberville has been called the “common-sense conservative,” focusing on battling against government overreach, fighting for the unborn, and passionately supporting the nation’s law enforcement and military..." Also, services on the Senate Armed Service Committee and the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee!!! (FYI: I am a huge Auburn Tiger College Football fan. So, the former Auburn Coach is very disappointing to me!)
ONLY Senator with military Service:
***** Wicker (R-MS), Not Voting https://www.wicker.senate.gov/biography
***** "...Senator Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel..."
Frankly, if they are not voting for veterans, they are voting against them!!! Just my humble opinion.
Oh, I STRONGLY believe that EVERY bill aimed at veterans' health should be FREE of add-ons that have NOTHING to do with caring for or the overall health of any veteran!!! I.e., "CLEAN BILLS"!!!
It should be illegal for Congress to pass any bill with "pork" under the guise of "helping veterans" that has NOTHING to do will veterans. I have no problem with senators voting against a bill if there is unrelated NON-Veteran centric PORK in a bill "pretending to be pro-veteran". As veterans we must STOP congress from using us as carriers of their "Pet PORK" projects in our name while not doing anything for vets "in our name." I always welcome support, but I am sick and tired of carrying - PORK SPENDING that does not help a vet or their family!!!
It is that @#@#$@$ simple to me!!!
Just saying............................
Let's take a look at them:
No Military Service - NOT A SINGLE DAY!:
Burr (R-NC), Nay https://www.burr.senate.gov/senator-burr
Crapo (R-ID), Nay https://www.crapo.senate.gov/about/about-mike
Lankford (R-OK), Nay https://www.lankford.senate.gov/about/bio
Lee (R-UT), Nay https://www.lee.senate.gov/about-mike
Lummis (R-WY), Nay https://www.lummis.senate.gov/about-cynthia/
* Paul (R-KY), Nay https://www.paul.senate.gov/about-rand
Risch (R-ID), Nay https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
Romney (R-UT), Nay https://www.romney.senate.gov/biography/
** Rounds (R-SD), Nay https://www.rounds.senate.gov/about-mike/biography
Shelby (R-AL), Nay https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
Thune (R-SD), Nay https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography
*** Tillis (R-NC), Nay https://www.tillis.senate.gov/about-thom
Toomey (R-PA), Nay https://www.toomey.senate.gov/about/about-pat
**** Tuberville (R-AL), Nay https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/about/
Daines (R-MT), Not Voting https://www.daines.senate.gov/meet-steve/biography
* Medical Physician
** On Senate Armed Services Committee
*** On both Senate Armed Services Committee & Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
****"...Tuberville was inspired to serve in Congress by his father, a World War II veteran and recipient of five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, who instilled in him the values of patriotism, work ethic, and grit. Tuberville has been called the “common-sense conservative,” focusing on battling against government overreach, fighting for the unborn, and passionately supporting the nation’s law enforcement and military..." Also, services on the Senate Armed Service Committee and the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee!!! (FYI: I am a huge Auburn Tiger College Football fan. So, the former Auburn Coach is very disappointing to me!)
ONLY Senator with military Service:
***** Wicker (R-MS), Not Voting https://www.wicker.senate.gov/biography
***** "...Senator Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel..."
Frankly, if they are not voting for veterans, they are voting against them!!! Just my humble opinion.
Oh, I STRONGLY believe that EVERY bill aimed at veterans' health should be FREE of add-ons that have NOTHING to do with caring for or the overall health of any veteran!!! I.e., "CLEAN BILLS"!!!
It should be illegal for Congress to pass any bill with "pork" under the guise of "helping veterans" that has NOTHING to do will veterans. I have no problem with senators voting against a bill if there is unrelated NON-Veteran centric PORK in a bill "pretending to be pro-veteran". As veterans we must STOP congress from using us as carriers of their "Pet PORK" projects in our name while not doing anything for vets "in our name." I always welcome support, but I am sick and tired of carrying - PORK SPENDING that does not help a vet or their family!!!
It is that @#@#$@$ simple to me!!!
Just saying............................
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