The future of expanded protections for veterans remains uncertain following the election of South Dakota Sen. Thune as the Senate Majority Leader. Thune, known for his previous opposition to aid for veterans affected by toxic burn pit exposure, has raised concerns among advocates.
Burn pits were utilized on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to incinerate materials like plastics, hazardous chemicals, and human waste. The resulting fumes have been linked to increased cancer rates and other health issues among servicemembers who were exposed.
President Joe Biden has prioritized assisting these veterans, motivated by personal tragedy. His son Beau, who served in the Delaware Army National Guard, succumbed to brain cancer in 2015 after exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Iraq from 2008 to 2009.
In 2021, Democratic lawmakers introduced the Honoring Our PACT Act. This legislation aimed to simplify access to health care and disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for burn pit victims. It also sought to enhance benefits for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Initially, Thune supported the Honoring Our PACT Act, which passed both the House and the Senate with strong bipartisan backing in June 2022. However, a procedural issue necessitated a second vote the following month. Thune, along with 24 other Republicans, reversed their stance, leading to the bill’s defeat.
Comedian Jon Stewart, a vocal advocate for the bill, criticized Thune and his colleagues for their change of heart. “Their constituents are dying,” Stewart expressed. “This is a disgrace.”
Thune explained his opposition by citing concerns over the VA’s ability to manage an increased workload. He supported a Republican amendment to allow burn pit victims to receive care from private providers, though the amendment was not adopted.
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the U.S., ranks as Thune’s second-largest financial backer.
Public backlash against the bill’s initial failure sparked speculation about potential repercussions for Republicans in the 2022 midterms. When the bill resurfaced in August, Thune voted in favor, and it subsequently passed, receiving President Biden’s signature into law.
On November 13, Senate Republicans selected Thune as their leader, succeeding Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had held the post since 2007.
A spokesperson for Thune has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this development.
