There was a new post on August 3, 2022, at 05:14pm.
The Senate gave final approval to a bill Tuesday that expands healthcare benefits for veterans who became sick after being exposed to toxic burn pits, with dozens of Republican senators voting in support.
Veterans, military family members and advocates want the Senate to change their votes.
Republicans made up all the "no" votes as the bill passed in a 86-11 vote.
Democrats included $400 billion in Department of Veterans Affairs spending in a House-passed version of the bill that did not pass the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he struck a deal with Senate GOP leadership to overcome the issue and allow votes on three amendments.
American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan often used burn pits to quickly clear out waste, which can cause serious health problems if it is breathed in. Dozens of Republican lawmakers changed their votes last week, claiming they still supported the bill but objected to the spending measure added to the House bill. Activists blasted their reasoning, most notably comedian Jon Stewart, who made repeated public appearances in which he fiercely and often profanity-ladenly ribbed Republican senators.
The toxic exposure bill for veterans is not moving forward.
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