The bill, passed on an 86-11 vote, ultimately drew support from 37 GOP senators, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. It now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.
Beyond aiding veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the bill would also expand coverage for illnesses potentially linked to the Agent Orange herbicide used in the Vietnam War. Twenty-five of those Republicans had supported another version of the bill last month. The GOP senators, including McConnell, denied that they changed their minds to retaliate against Democrats who had finally reached a deal after a months-long standoff.
Proponents of the measure, like Stewart, warned that Toomey’s proposed change would mean ailing veterans would have to lobby for funding in annual spending bills. Biden, who called for the legislation in his State of the Union address earlier this year, has spoken about the dangers of toxic burn pits for years.