[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 128 (Monday, August 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3794-S3795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Business Before the Senate

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, the Senate gavels in for what will be a

[[Page S3795]]

very consequential week for this Chamber and for our country.
  Later today, we will vote on the nomination of Elizabeth Hanes to 
serve as district judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. If 
confirmed, she will be the 75th judge this Senate majority has 
confirmed since the start of President Biden's term.
  In the coming days, the Senate will also finish its work passing the 
PACT Act, the largest expansion of veteran healthcare benefits in 
decades and a piece of legislation that should sail through this 
Chamber with overwhelming bipartisan support.
  Over the past few days, the Capitol steps have been the site of 
something we should never see in this country: dozens of veterans 
braving heat and heavy rain, protesting through the night, demanding 
that the Senate take action on their healthcare benefits. They are 
there right now as we speak. No veteran who has sacrificed for our 
country should ever have to resort to spending the night on the Capitol 
steps to secure their benefits, but sadly, in this case, they have.
  It is unfortunate that our Republican colleagues chose to block quick 
passage of this bill last week even though this is the exact same piece 
of legislation many of them supported in June, with one small technical 
fix. In the coming days, we are going to give Senate Republicans 
another chance to do the right thing, to work with us so we can send 
this bill to the President's desk ASAP.
  Since 9/11, nearly 3\1/2\ million veterans have been exposed to toxic 
burn pits in the line of duty, leading to complications like cancer, 
lung disease, and other illnesses, but instead of getting the care they 
need without delay, many veterans have had to hire lawyers and jump 
through hoops. They have to sue the Veterans' Administration to get the 
help they deserve and need, incurred as they served our country in 
dangerous places like Iraq and Vietnam. Is that incredible? They have 
wasted years fighting the VA just to get the care they need when they 
should have spent that time treating their illnesses. It is equally 
parts tragic and infuriating.
  Our veterans have already given their all to defend our Nation from 
threats abroad. They shouldn't have to fight a second war here at home 
just to get the healthcare benefits they rightfully deserve. These 
brave Americans sacrificed everything. They risked life and limb. The 
very least we can do as a country is ensure they receive top care.
  I urge both sides to work together to quickly pass the PACT act so we 
can send it to the President's desk ASAP.