The Senate approved a bill that will help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Jon Tester cheer with FealGood Foundation founder John Feal, center, as the two Senators meet with veterans ahead of an anticipated final passage of a bill for veterans with toxic exposure illnesses, outside of the US Capitol in Washington, Aug. 2, 2022.
"Every so often folks, America lives up to its ideals, and those are days that we savor," Schumer said at a press conference outside the Senate later Tuesday. He was joined by comedian and activist Jon Stewart, who has become the face of the legislation, and other Senate Democrats as well as GOP Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas.
He was clearly jubilant, smiling widely and embracing many of the veterans and families that stood behind the podium. The PACT Act had initially passed the Senate earlier this year. But after a quick fix in the House required the bill to be voted on again, 26 Republican senators changed their votes and blocked swift passage of the act last week -- sparking outrage among Democrats and veterans groups.Stewart was the most public face leading the protest against the delay. He had joined veterans outside the Capitol for the last several days.
He sat above in the gallery and was seemingly overcome with emotion for a moment after the vote. He appeared to choke up while the clerk read the names of the Senators who voted yes.
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