Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked passage of a bill providing funding to veterans suffering from the effects of toxic burn pits Wednesday. They’re now facing criticism from Senate Democrats and veterans organizations.
Representatives from Wounded Warrior Project, VFW and the American Legion rallied with Democratic lawmakers. They included Susan Zeier, whose son-in-law died from cancer that doctors believe was connected to fumes he inhaled while serving in Iraq.
"They voted against my family. They voted for all of us to suffer. They are endorsing our suffering," Zeier said.
Republican senators say they blocked the bill because they were not allowed bring up amendments on the Senate floor. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand cosponsors the legislation and fumed at her Republican colleagues.
“This is total bullshit. This is the worst form of over politicization I have literally ever seen," Gillibrand said.
Last night, Republicans blocked the #PACTAct, our bill to guarantee health care to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) July 28, 2022
25 of them voted JUST LAST MONTH to pass the bill.
Let's call this what it is: Total BS.
Don't put politics before our veterans' lives.
One of the leading opponents to the bill is Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey. He argues the legislation allows for unrestricted spending. A nearly identical version of the legislation was approved with wide bipartisan support last month.