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Former The Daily Show host and activist Jon Stewart went viral for an impassioned and profane excoriation of Senate Republicans who blocked funding to help veterans made sick by exposure to toxic chemicals during combat.
In his speech, Stewart lambasted Republican Senators Pat Toomey, Mitch McConnell and Ted Cruz for lying to his and veterans' faces about the legislation and then striking it down in a vote yesterday.
The speech drew widespread exposure for casting Republican politicians as lying hypocrites who pay lip service to supporting the military and veterans while only really supporting rich defense contractors.
You can see Stewart's speech below.
WARNING: NSFW language
\u201cHaven\u2019t watched a 10 minute clip on twitter in forever but I watched every second of this and you should too. @jonstewart is a gifted activist. \u201d— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1659031366
The bill—called the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act or PACT ACT—would provide increased funding for combat veterans sickened in the line of duty by chemicals like Agent Orange and exposure to burn pits—areas on military bases and encampments where trash, including medical waste, plastics, rubber and other toxic materials were burned.
Exposure to burn pits has caused veterans to suffer from everything from asthma to fatal cancers.
The legislation has been in the works for years and passed earlier votes in June.
But several Senate Republicans reneged on promises about the bill Wednesday in retaliation against Democrats' efforts to pass climate change and healthcare legislation without Republican votes. Senators like Mitch McConnell and Pat Toomey chalked up their vote change to PACT's budgetary concerns.
Both supported large tax breaks for the wealthy.
Several Republican Senators, including Ted Cruz, were seen congratulating each other for tanking the bill after its vote.
\u201cHere are Senate Republicans celebrating after they blocked a bill earlier today to help veterans who have been exposed to burn pits\u2026\u201d— Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc (@Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc) 1659055423
Stewart condemned Senate Republicans for their actions in his speech.
Referencing the veterans who surrounded him as he spoke, Stewart said:
“Ain’t this a b*tch? America’s heroes, who fought in our wars, outside sweating their a**es off, while these motherfu*kers sit in the air conditioning, walled off from any of it...
Stewart then detailed how Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell lied to the faces of veterans who met with him about the bill.
He added Senator Pat Toomey refused to even meet face-to-face with veterans.
Stewart stated of Republicans:
"I’m used to the hypocrisy. I'm used to all of it, but I'm not used to the cruelty."
Stewart went on to mock Republicans' claims to be worried about PACT's lack of budgetary "guardrails."
He noted none of them expressed reservations about the country's defense spending, including the $839 billion defense bill passed earlier this month.
“Did Pat Toomey stand up and say, ‘This is irresponsible. The guardrails!' No. Not one of them did. They vote for it year after year after year.
"You don’t support the troops. You support the war machine.”
He then pointed to the Senate building and said what many have been thinking for years.
“If this is America First, then America is fu*ked."
On Twitter, Stewart's rant left many feeling outraged at Republicans.
\u201c@JasonKander @jonstewart They don't care. I can't talk about the many times my brother sacrificed himself for this country and all he ended up with is server disability and PTSD.\nhttps://t.co/DJzzIEpleG\u201d— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1659031366
\u201c@JasonKander @jonstewart If you have an hour I recommend the entire press conference. I\u2019ve never seen our community and the VSO\u2019s so enraged.\u201d— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1659031366
\u201c@JasonKander @jonstewart Watched it twice. It's moving to watch someone talk when they actually care.\nWhy he doesn't run for office is beyond me.\u201d— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1659031366
\u201cObviously since their embrace of Trump the GOP has proudly flouted decency, but I just keep thinking, politically, how high on your own supply do you have to be to think cruelly punishing sick veterans is a smart tactical move?\u201d— Schooley (@Schooley) 1659112173
\u201c@SenRickScott @the_USO Here is one person who wasn't impressed by your virtue signaling\n\nhttps://t.co/RRUcrAFVNd\u201d— Rick Scott (@Rick Scott) 1658959396
\u201c@cspan @jonstewart The next time a Rep Senator tries to claim to be a patriot or care about our military - remind them of this vote.\nIt's not what they say that matters; it's what they do. @MSFreePress @MSTODAYnews \n@sunherald @clarionledger @WXXV25 @WLOX \n@SenatorWicker @SenHydeSmith\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1659023517
\u201c@cspan @jasonswritings @jonstewart Republicans gave our Veterans the middle finger yesterday.\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1659023517
\u201cGood job calling out the Rs cruelty!\u201d— I Don\u2019t Need a Pardon \u201cYet\u201d! \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b (@I Don\u2019t Need a Pardon \u201cYet\u201d! \ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b) 1659103411
\u201cListen to EVERY WORD.\nJon Stewart is a damn national treasure.\u201d— Jeri Ryan (@Jeri Ryan) 1659100217
\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen Jon Stewart so pissed off. He\u2019s 100% on point.\u201d— Jeff Sargent (@Jeff Sargent) 1659050786
\u201c@cspan @jonstewart Why are they always on vacation. Veterans don\u2019t get a vacation from their pain and suffering. Way to go John Stewart.\u201d— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1659023517
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced another vote on PACT scheduled for Monday night.
But if it passes it will likely not make it to President Biden's desk before the government's August 5 summer recess.