Screenshot by means of The Weekly Exhibit
Jon Stewart accused the Division of Veteran Affairs of “punting” the ball after a Friday assembly in which troop were instructed they’d need to wait even longer to look if they are covered for uranium publicity while deployed.
Stewart has been a vocal suggest for veterans and September 11 first responders and he and some American troops met with Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to talk about helping veterans exposed to uranium while overseas. The meeting ended with the secretary pronouncing “additional info” is needed.
“The secretary as of late stated he has the authority statutorily to make the alternate, to make sure the K2 veterans are coated presumptively,” Stewart stated, consistent with the Associated Press.
The Day by day Show host said the VA place of business is just delaying.
“I imagine punting is the proper term for what took place,” Stewart mentioned.
Following the Sep 11 terrorist assaults, squaddies were deployed to Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan (in any other case often called K2). The soldiers had been exposed to uranium at a former Soviet Union base and for 20 years they have got been ready to peer if this radiation publicity will be covered via the VA. Radiation levels within the area have been forty,000 times what would have registered had it been pure uranium, and the analysis displaying this goes the entire approach again to November 2001.
Stewart prior to now helped push the PACT Act into regulation in 2022. The legislation greatly widened protection for veterans uncovered to toxins while deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. The delay in selections, alternatively, has ended in very real penalties. Infantrymen have died from exposure over time, together with some deployed to K2. Stewart mentioned in 2022 that he knew two veterans looking to get lend a hand who dedicated suicide whereas ready on Congress to pass the PACT Act.
A VA spokesperson claimed the division is “urgently” looking on the K2 cases.
“We continue to urgently consider every technique to further support these veterans and survivors, and we will maintain them apprised each step of the way in which,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Speaking to journalists after the assembly, Stewart referred to as for the following assembly to take place on the White Home, arguing it’s the only means for pressing motion to be taken.
BREAKING: @jonstewart calls on White House @potus to fulfill ASAP with veterans who served after 9-11 at toxic base in Uzbekistan known as “K2.”
…..after disappointing assembly with @SecVetAffairs who mentioned he has the statutory authority however has not acted to secure lengthy… p.c.twitter.com/P4AkZD1ydv
— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) July 26, 2024
“Getting these guys in front of DoD does nothing because they’re going to obfuscate, however getting them in front of the White Home can be really necessary,” he said.
The publish Jon Stewart Fumes After VA Meeting On Covering Vets Affected By using Uranium: ‘I Imagine Punting Is the Perfect Term’ first appeared on Mediaite.