U.S. Senate passes military burn pits bill Transcript

Speaker 1: (00:00) The yeas are 86. Speaker 2: (00:01) The US Senate on Tuesday passed a bill expanding aid to veterans affected by burning military trash pits, but that was after surprisingly being stalled by Republican opposition last week. The US Military used burn pits to dispose of waste on foreign bases, like in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rare cancers and respiratory illnesses were later found to have been caused by toxic fumes from burning rubber, chemical waste, and ammunitions. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer lauded the bill's passage on Tuesday. Speaker 1: (00:32) The Majority Leader. Chuck Schumer: (00:32) This is a wonderful moment, especially for all the people who have made this happen, who are observing it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 2: (00:43) The bill, known as the PACT Act, had initially passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in June. However, the process required a do-over to fix a technical error. What was supposed to be a routine vote in the Senate last week was anything but, when Republican Pat Toomey raised concerns with how money was being appropriated in the PACT Act. Some speculate that an unrelated climate and tax bill announced by Democrats hours before last week's vote was also a cause of Republicans' abrupt change of heart. Republicans ended up sinking the PACT Act. Speaker 4: (01:16) Seriously? I'm supposed to trust this and future congresses not to go on a spending spree. Seriously? That's unbelievable. Speaker 2: (01:29) Veterans supporting the bill have camped on the Capitol steps since last week. Advocates, including comedian Jon Stewart, admonished Republicans who had voted against the bill. Jon Stewart: (01:39) I'm used to the cowardice. I've been here a long time. Senate's where accountability goes to die. Speaker 2: (01:46) On Tuesday, Schumer said he reached a deal with Toomey to vote on an amendment to address the funding issue, clearing the way for a final vote on passage that same night. Toomey's amendment was defeated before the Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation. The bill will now move to Biden's desk for final signing into law.