UPDATE: Appearing at a news conference on Capitol Hill, Jon Stewart called out Republicans by name for blocking legislation to extend health care benefits to veterans exposed to burn toxins.

In his remarks, Stewart said: “Isn’t she a bitch?  America’s heroes, who fought in our wars, outside sweating their asses off, while these moms sit in the air conditioner, remote from any of it.” 

Stewart cited a tweet from Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), in which he wrote of an event Wednesday: “Honored to join @the_uso today and make care packages for our brave military members in gratitude for their sacrifice and service to our nation.”  “I’m used to hypocrisy,” Stewart said.  He then called out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, claiming he lied to veterans he met with, and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), claiming he would not meet with veterans groups. 

“I’m used to all that, but I’m not used to the cruelty,” Stewart said. 

He noted that the legislation initially passed the Senate by an 84-14 vote in June.

McConnell said the bill included an “accounting gimmick,” claiming it would open up “hundreds of billions” in unrelated spending.  He called for a vote on an amendment proposed by Toomey.

Stewart called Toomey’s objections to the legislation — that it would create a “slush fund” — “nonsense,” noting that the senator and other Republicans consistently support defense bills with few spending safeguards.

“Pat Toomey stood up and said, ‘This is irresponsible.  The guardrails!  No.  None of them did.  They vote for it year after year.  You don’t support the troops.  You’re supporting the war machine.” 

Pointing to the Senate side of the Capitol, Stewart said, “If this is America First, then America is F—ed.”

PREVIOUSLY: Jon Stewart criticized Senate Republicans for blocking long-awaited legislation to expand health care benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of military involvement.

The bill, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, failed to get the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate on Wednesday.  Eight Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted no, a procedural move to bring the legislation back for reconsideration.

The legislation appeared to be on track to receive substantial bipartisan support until Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) urged members this week to vote against it, arguing the bill contained a fiscal gimmick to unlock $400 billion in spending “regardless of veteran care.”

Stewart, host of an Apple TV+ series, said in one of his tweets, “Congratulations @SenToomey You successfully used byzantine Senate rules to keep sick veterans suffering!!!!  Glory!  I’m sure you’ll celebrate by kicking a dog or punching a baby… or whatever awesome people do for fun!!!!!”  He later added, “PS F— the R team and their empty promise to our veterans.”

In Toomey’s argument against the bill, Stewart wrote, “I’m calling bulls—.”

6 Trillion for War – No Guidelines or Oversight…but for Veterans Health?? Let’s play financial games with tricks. We live upside down. — Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) July 27, 2022 PS Fuck the MPs and their empty promise to our veterans. — Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) July 27, 2022 Stewart has been an advocate for expanding health care to burn veterans, appearing on Capitol Hill several times to urge lawmakers to act but also to warn against efforts to block the legislation. Earlier this year, he warned of efforts to water down the legislation. “F— this. It doesn’t happen. They are getting what they deserve — comprehensive bill that addresses the urgent need in their community,” Stewart said. The more comprehensive bill ended up passing.

The military has used pits to incinerate waste, hazardous materials and jet fuel, but troops who have breathed in the toxic fumes have reported a range of illnesses.  President Joe Biden has suggested that the brain cancer that killed his son, Beau, may be linked to his exposure to burns while serving in Iraq and Kosovo. 

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said at a press conference Thursday that Republicans “voted against the men and women who fight for this country.”  He had called opposition to the legislation an “eleventh-hour act of cowardice” and warned that “more veterans will suffer and die as a result.”

Toomey argued that the PACT Act “would allow an additional $400 billion in future non-veteran discretionary spending.  By failing to remove this trick, Congress would effectively be using a major veterans care bill to hide a massive, unrelated spending binge.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), appearing with other Democrats but mirroring Stewart’s anger, said at the news conference: “This is absolute BS. This is the worst form of over-politicization I’ve ever seen.”