GOP Rejects ‘Mandatory’ $400 Billion Appropriation in Burn Pits Bill

Republicans say the funding could be used for things ‘completely unrelated’ to veterans’ health

A bill designed to provide extra benefits to veterans affected by exposure to burn pits overseas is facing opposition by Senate Republicans over Democrats’ efforts to include $400 billion in spending that Republicans say is unrelated to helping veterans.

The bill, dubbed the “Honoring Our PACT Act,” is overwhelmingly supported by members on both sides of the aisle inasmuch as it seeks to provide new benefits and care options for veterans who have suffered long-term damage from exposure to burn pits in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

However, the bill would also authorize $400 billion in new spending that Republican critics say could be used for purposes unrelated to that key focus, which has drawn GOP opposition to the bill, despite the party’s support for the core of the bill.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who joined his GOP colleagues last week in blocking the bill from advancing, explained Republicans’ concerns in a statement released following the vote.

“The PACT Act as written includes a budget gimmick that would allow $400 billion of current law spending to be moved from the discretionary to the mandatory spending category,” Toomey explained. “This provision is completely unnecessary to achieve the PACT Act’s stated goal of expanding health care and other benefits for veterans.”

“It would enable an additional $400 billion in future discretionary spending completely unrelated to veterans,” he added. “By failing to remove this gimmick, Congress would effectively be using an important veterans care bill to hide a massive, unrelated spending binge.”

Following the failed vote, some Democrats and liberals have used the opportunity to suggest that Republicans do not care about veterans.

Speaking about the vote, comedian and activist Jon Stewart said on CNN that Republicans’ opposition to the bill