“Some of our members are like, ‘Toomey’s talking about this for several weeks in our conference meetings, let’s try and fix this.’ He’s got a legitimate issue but clearly at some point this is going to pass and it’s going to pass big,” said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.).He was questioned as to why he didn't help the man about to die. Republicans backed Toomey last week but are ready to end the standoff soon. They would prefer to go on the offense and attack Democrats for raising taxes and fueling inflation with the climate and tax bill they intend to pass later this week. That changed when Democrats announced a breakthrough deal on climate and taxes.īut now Republicans are being forced to play defense and offer complicated explanations about why they’re holding up the veterans bill. In other words, even many of Toomey’s GOP colleagues weren’t prepared to block the popular bill over arcane debate over mandatory and discretionary spending earlier this summer. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who has led the floor debate, said it’s “a very bad decision by the Republicans.”ĭemocratic aides say Schumer offered Toomey a vote on an amendment related to the mandatory spending designation six weeks ago, but 34 Republicans still voted for the bill even though that amendment vote never happened.
“Republicans are mad that Democrats are on the verge of passing climate change legislation and have decided to take their anger out on vulnerable veterans,” he told Vox.com. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused them of plotting revenge after learning of the Schumer-Manchin deal on climate and taxes. That budget reconciliation package is a top priority for Democrats and is being moved under special budget rules that prevent a GOP filibuster.Īfter 25 Republican who had previously voted “yes” for the veterans bill voted “no” on a measure to advance it last week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) accused them of “holding our service members hostage for the sake of politics.” Several Democrats view it as retaliation for a separate deal worked out last week by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Republicans have also come under criticism from Democrats over their motivation for blocking the bill.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough warned in a CNN interview over the weekend that Toomey’s amendment could lead to the “rationing of care for vets” because it would place “a year-on-year cap” on what his department can spend to help veterans suffering from exposure to burn pits. Stewart in the video responding to Cruz and other Senate GOP critics declared: “There was no budgetary trick and it was always mandatory and when they voted in the Senate June 16, they actually got 84 votes.” Republicans concede the standoff is not a good look for them three months before a crucial election and that they’re taking most of the blame for the stalled bill. He characterized Cruz’s arguments as “inaccurate, not true, bull***” and concluded the video with footage of Cruz fist-bumping a colleague after the legislation failed on the floor last Thursday. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a recent video in which he responded to Cruz’s objections to the bill point by point. Stewart took delight in pillorying conservative Sen. Jon Stewart, the former “Daily Show” host who for years has acted as an activist for veterans and first responder groups, has relentlessly pummeled the GOP over its stance, drawing a barrage of media attention to the issue. The legislation initially passed the Senate in June by a lopsided 84-14 vote, and Republican senators are struggling to explain why they’re now holding up the same bill on the Senate floor. They’ve been staging a sit-in protest on the Capitol steps since Thursday to draw attention to Republican opposition. ( The Hill) – Senate Republicans are looking for a way to quietly end a standoff over legislation to help veterans suffering from toxic exposure that has turned into a major distraction and put them on the defensive at a critical moment.Īctivists representing veterans are enraged after GOP lawmakers blocked a $278 billion bill aimed at helping veterans suffering from health ailments because of their exposure to toxins.
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