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In 2022, Senate Republicans tried to block the PACT Act, which provides important health care access for veterans suffering from toxic burn pit exposure.
On April 26, 2023 House Republicans passed a debt ceiling bill that reduces funding for veteran programs by 22%.
Comedian Jon Stewart, a prominent pro-veteran activist, speaks out against these GOP bills that threaten American heroes' health and wellbeing.
Republicans Vote to Slash Veteran Funding by 22% in 2023
Amidst the ongoing Congressional debate surrounding the debt ceiling, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a bill that will cut funding for veteran programs by 22%. These cuts would lead to 30 million fewer outpatient visits for veterans and would cause 81,000 Americans to lose their jobs in the Veterans Health Administration.
These cuts would devastate our family members, friends, and neighbors who return from service requiring physical and mental health care, as well as those who need employment or housing help. The bill would also cut funding to non-VA programs, such as SNAP (food stamps), which over a million veterans and military families count on.
Slashing Crucial Veterans Programs Isn’t New for the GOP
In July 2022, Senate Republicans tried to block the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT), which improves health care access and funding for American veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits while serving our nation overseas.
Burn pits were commonly used by the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan to incinerate trash and other waste, which exposed many troops to toxic chemicals, causing lasting negative health effects.
Comedian Jon Stewart Denounces the GOP Fight Against Our Veterans
Jon Stewart, former host of the “Daily Show,” now a prominent veteran’s activist, is a leading voice against Republicans’ neglect of our nation’s heroes.
On July 28, 2022, Jon Stewart appeared on Newsmax’s “National Report” to speak out against Republicans who attempted to prevent the PACT Act’s passage.
“They’ll spend trillions of dollars on these wars, but they will not spend the money on the consequences of those wars to the individuals who fought in them,” Stewart said in his interview. “They don’t support the troops. They support the war machine. And that’s got to stop.”
Stewart called out Sen. Pat Toomey, who rallied GOP members to vote against the bill after it initially was on track to pass with bipartisan support. “If you have the guts to send somebody to war, then you better have the guts to take care of them when they get home,” Stewart said.
The PACT Act passed in August after continuous protest from veterans groups, Stewart, and other activists.
It’s Time to Speak Out Against Cuts to Veterans Programs
As Republicans continuously squeeze veterans benefits, it is now more important than ever to advocate for our American heroes.
Share with your friends and family and join us in asking Congress to protect important veteran programs!