The Senate passed legislation to extend health and disability benefits to millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of military engagement.
The 86-11 vote came after Republicans blocked the legislation last week, with a number of the lawmakers having previously supported it when it came before the Senate in June.
Jon Stewart, a longtime advocate for the veterans, blasted the opposition, speaking at rallies on Capitol Hill multiple times over the past week and making a series of media appearances on network Sunday shows, Fox News and Newsmax.
Stewart was in the chamber for the Senate vote, and hugged veterans after it passed. The bill, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (or the PACT ACT), is designed to address the inability of veterans to access healthcare as they reported a range of illnesses.
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