Yahoo Autos Senate passes PACT Act, latest effort in yearslong fight to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits
Denis McDonough, secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, had a special mission Saturday: deliver pizza to veterans camped out at the U.S. Capitol – and broker a call with President Joe Biden.
A bill providing long-sought benefits for ailments tied to toxic burn pit exposure stalled in Congress unexpectedly last week when Republicans yanked their support.
“America has a lot of obligations, (but) only one truly sacred obligation – I mean this from the bottom of my heart: that is to care for those and prepare those we send to war and care for them and their families when they come home,” Biden told the veterans over FaceTime. “As long as I have a breath in me, we’re going to fight to get this done. As long as I have a breath in me.”
That frustration turned to elation Tuesday when Senate leaders negotiated a compromise and passed the measure 86-11, sending it on to Biden for his signature.
The bill, known as the PACT Act, or honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics bill, will fund research and benefits for as many as 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during service.
It was the product of months of bipartisan negotiation and had passed the Senate with overwhelming Republican support in June, but two dozen GOP senators reversed course last week and blocked final passage, drawing rebukes from lawmakers, veterans' groups and comedian and advocate Jon Stewart.
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Republicans who initially voted against advancing the bill, including Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Ted Cruz of Texas, cited worries that language in the bill could allow unrelated spending.
“These senators need to remember that it is the veteran that paid the price for their freedoms, the life they live and the fresh air that they breathe,” Tim Borland, national commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, said in a statement. The VFW boasts 1.5 million regular and auxiliary members. “We will not let the voices of veterans sick and dying from toxic exposure be ignored.”
Veterans and advocates set up camp outside the Capitol, vowing not to leave until the legislation passes. They lined up Tuesday to witness the vote in the Senate chamber.
Among those who came to Washington was Susan Zeier, whose son-in-law Heath Robinson died from lung cancer in 2020 at age 39. Robinson had served in Iraq as a member of the Ohio National Guard in 2006 and was exposed to toxic smoke from burning refuse.
