After days of intense pressure from most of the nation, Senate Republicans backed down and passed legislation that they previously blocked expanding healthcare for veterans.
The PACT Act passed 86-11, and Senate Republicans were claiming that their blockade of healthcare for veterans had nothing to do with anger over Schumer and Manchin agreeing on a spending bill, but was all about amendment votes:
Wisconsin Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin voted YES on the PACT Act, which just now passed 86-11.
Johnson had wanted amendment votes. They failed and are not in passed bill. https://t.co/nVnYTtDVhv
— Lawrence Andrea (@lawrencegandrea) August 2, 2022
Republicans got their amendment votes, including an amendment from Rand Paul that tried to cut off foreign aid to every other country besides Israel. Each amendment failed and was a total waste of time.
The Republican obstruction was never about sentences in the bill or procedures. Republicans wanted to punish Democrats for agreeing on a spending bill to reduce inflation and lower prescription drug prices.
Eventually, Republicans relented to the pressure of people like Jon Stewart and veterans who were sleeping on the steps of the Capitol along with the constant drumbeat of negative publicity as Republicans could not justify changing their minds and blocking the bill
Republicans had to cave because the country was not going to put up with their obstruction.
Senate Republicans have been shown that the American people are paying attention and their obstructionist games will come at a heavy price.
Republicans tried to hurt America’s veterans, but they only harmed themselves.
Mr. Easley is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association