Veterans groups and activists have long been pushing lawmakers to
approve the pact Act. It's a bill that would expand healthcare access
to military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in war zones like
Iraq and Afghanistan, but the bill is now stalled in the Senate.
The measure passed the Senate earlier this year, but clerical issues
that brought it back for another vote and what was supposed to be
an easy passage of a bipartisan measure has turned into a political
football over issues.
Spending.
Senator Pat Toomey was among the Republicans who voted against advancing
the bill last week.
Republican votes didn't change on the substance of the bill. Republicans
have said. We want an amendment to change a provision that has nothing
to do with veterans Healthcare. The Republicans support this, the
Democrats added a provision that has nothing to do with Veterans
Healthcare and that it's designed
The change government accounting rules so that they can have a $400
billion spending spree.
Leading the effort to get this bill across the finish line is Democratic
Senator from Montana. Jon Tester. He chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee, and he joins me now, Senator Tester, Welcome back to the
news hour. So tell us what's going on here. Why has it been so hard
to get this bill through its already unusual to see this kind of
fight over a defense spending measure?
Yeah, Judy. I just want to say one thing to correct the record. There's
not one thing that's changed in this bill, with the exception of
one line that was taken out of this bill.
That allowed the V A to buy out provider contracts. That line was
taken out because it was a revenue raiser and there is nothing else.
There was changing this bill since we voted on it on June 16th in
the past with 84 votes, So I want to be clear with that, and I will
sit down with anybody that wants to go through this bill, line by
line and prove that
This is an issue that was brought up by Senator Toomey, who is a
friend of mine and somebody who's very, very smart. That says, Hey,
I'm going to be leaving this place and I want to control the appropriations
process. So regardless what
Justification we're going to use and by the way, the secretary of
the V a said
If we pass Toomey's amendment, it's going to be rationing of care
to our veterans.
That is the truth. And so we need to be able to meet the needs of
our veterans. This bill was passed on June. 16th is the same bill.
And we need to get folks to come to the table and vote for it again.
Because health care that is delayed is health care that is denied.
And we're denying healthcare on burn pits to our veterans all across
this country, and that's why they're out here on the Capitol steps,
saying Enough is enough. The United States standard step up passed
this bill, get it to the president's desk. So, Senator, what do you
say to the Republicans and we've heard it from Senator Toomey. You
know this, and by the way, we asked him to a
Join us on the program tonight, his office said. He was not able
to do that. But they say this is all about how this is funded that
there's language in here about mandatory versus discretionary. This
is what they've told my colleague Lisa Desjardin, How do you respond
to that? Well, there is there's mandatory funding to take care of
our veterans. That means that it's mandatory funding to take care
of our veterans with Congress can come in and say, You know what?
We're not going to fund this program anymore, or we don't have to
do it year after year after year. So in that vein there correct
But for the people who put their lives on the line and serve this
country in the military
Isn't that a good thing? Shouldn't they have the certainty that know
their health care is going to be there next year in the case of burn
pits, and we've been at war for 20 years, and these folks are suffering
cancers and lung diseases Because of this shouldn't Congress step
up and take care of their end of the deal? I think they should We
did on June 16th, but unfortunately now that's been forgotten.
And I think that's a huge mistake, especially for our all volunteer
military and folks were looking to sign up looking at this going.
Wow, They're not living up there into the deal. Why would I want
to join? They say what they're worried about is that is that items
like computers? I t people who aren't really connected to burn pits
are going to end up falling under this these items going forward.
They cite the committee for a responsible federal budget, saying
this is not truly this is not money. That's
That should be mandatory.
Judy. You've been around this place a lot longer than I have. And
I will tell you that Congress makes a decision on how money is spent,
and there's no if ands or buts about that.
This amendment by Senator Toomey will take away that ability.
And by the way will cap this program and terminate this program after
10 years. We all know that toxic exposures and health care doesn't
end after 10 years. Just take a look at Agent Orange and the Vietnam
War. Those folks are still dealing with that This bill actually deals
with those folks to and radiation and others. So I think that the
arguments ring hollow.
As far as I'm concerned, and look, we have to have some it to take
care of electronic health records and make sure that we get that
done right. But that's a whole different pot of money. And the vo
secretary just can't transfer that money because he wants to. There
has to be congressional oversight, and there is
So, senator quick to questions on this it will there be a vote on
it. And do you think the Republicans will be allowed to put their
amendments out and that it will pass despite that, and how are these
veterans affected if this is delayed?
If it's delayed, more veterans will continue to not have their healthcare
addressed and and die and families that depend upon that veteran
for this source of income won't be there anymore. So it puts families
at risk, too.
I think there is an offer on the table right now to have a series
of votes to get this bill passed and hopefully
the folks on the other side of the aisle the Republicans will accept
that deal so we can get this bill passed tomorrow.
I think we've waited far, far too long. Judy two other quick issues
I want to ask you about Senator the status of the so called Inflation
Reduction Act that would address climate change healthcare.
And other things. Do you believe that's going to pass the Senate?
Ah, I don't know. I mean, I'm I'm so focused on the pact Act. I haven't
really had a chance to review that. I've seen some things in it.
I like like debt reduction and allowing Medicare to negotiate the
prescription drugs. Um, but I've got to look at the whole thing before
I decide, But I think that it's got a fair chance of passing. But
I can't say it's an absolute
And final question, Senator You voted for a measure that would codify
abortion rights across the nation. Nationally, it did not pass, though,
because of the filibuster rule. Would you be willing to support a
filibuster are changing the filibuster rule in order to see that
go? We have been here before, And I can tell you that the problem
with changing the filibuster rule. I think the proposal that
We negotiated that I was a part of back in January really protected
minority rights, But that proposal is not on the table. Now. If it
was brought up again, I would support that. And basically what that
says. Is you debate and debate and debate and follow the two speech
rule. And then you vote with a simple majority. And I think that
allows the minority to be able to control the floor for a long period
of time and gives them real power.
But But look, if if we don't have something that's going to stand
the test of time when it comes to any of these important issues,
they will flop back and forth, and that's not healthy either.
So on the on changing the filibuster. I hear you're not
Moving on that one. Well, look, if if it's a change of filibuster
like I helped negotiate last January, I think that's a positive change
that helps protect minority rights. And I think that's how it used
to work in the old Mr Smith goes to Washington days.
Yeah, I don't quite remember those days. But I have been around a
long time, Senator. Thank you very much. Senator Jon Tester of Montana.