Republicans senators celebrated on Wednesday after blocking the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act which would have expanded healthcare coverage for military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their service.
By a 55 to 42 vote, the Senate failed to pass a procedural vote that would’ve cleared the way for a vote on the legislation.
The bill passed both the House and the Senate in June on a 84-14 vote, but due to a change in the bill’s language, it needed to go back and pass the House and Senate again.
All but one of the 42 senators who oppose the bill are Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer changed his vote to ‘No’ as a simple procedural move allowing him to reconsider the cloture vote at any time. 25 Republican senators who supported the bill in June reversed their support and voted no.
After the vote, Republican senators were seen celebrating on the Senate floor with Sens. Ted Cruz and Steve Daines giving each other a fist bump.
“Senate Republicans BLOCKED the PACT Act, critical health care for veterans with illness caused by toxic burn pits,” Senate Democrats wrote in a tweet accompanying the video. “Even though many Republicans supported it just weeks ago. And they celebrated.”
