[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 129 (Tuesday, August 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            VOTE EXPLANATION

 Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, due to unforeseen circumstances I 
was unable to be present today for votes on amendment No. 5186 and 5187 
to S. 3373, the Honoring our PACT Act, and to the underlying bill. I 
offer this statement in the Record in support of all three.
  Amendment No. 5186 to S. 3373, offered by my good friend from 
Pennsylvania, Mr. Pat Toomey, closes an important budgetary loophole by 
preventing $390 billion in baseline discretionary spending from being 
reclassified as mandatory spending under the legislation. I support 
this amendment, and I would encourage my colleagues to do the same.
  Amendment No. 5185 to S. 3373, offered by my good friend from 
Tennessee, Mrs. Marsha Blackburn, would expand care under the Veterans 
Community Care Program to include toxic-exposed veterans. This expanded 
care program is essential to ensure that toxic-exposed veterans receive 
the full range of support that they need. I would encourage my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.
  Finally, S. 3373, the Honoring our PACT Act, creates a presumption 
that veterans who suffer from certain health conditions, and who were 
exposed to toxic substances as part of their military service, are 
eligible to receive Veterans Administration healthcare. This important 
bill will provide much-needed care to our veterans, including 
lifesaving early detection and treatment of certain illnesses. I 
support the passage of the PACT Act.

                          ____________________