After Much Drama and Delays, Senate Passes PACT Act for Veteran Burn Pit Victims

Rebecca Downs / Townhall Tipsheet

In a vote of 86-11, the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday night on the Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. The bill will help veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits by expanding their care from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. 

There was much drama surrounding the bill last week, when Republicans voting against it were accused by Jon Stewart, among others, of turning against veterans. 

In reality, as explained by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), the vote against the legislation came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) added unrelated discretionary spending to the tune of $400 billion, which was not in the House version that had previously passed by a vote of 342-88. The Senate had also previously voted on the bill in June, in a vote of 84-14. See tweets and videos here.