Senate GOP retreats after Firestorm Veterans Bill

minority leader Mitch McConnell declined answer Monday’s question about why the legislation was passed up.

“So be it pass this week,” he said.

Other Republicans in The leadership of the Senate spoke in the same tone. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Vio.) told POLITICO that he “expects it pass» and Sen. John Thune (RS.D.), No. 2 McConnell, repeated that “at some point it pass and it will pass big”.

Republicans say they blocked the bill because of concerns, led by Sep. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) over what the outgoing senator called a “budget stunt” language which he claimed could allow specific means to be used for programs not related to the health of veterans. What language was in the bill when it was originally passed by the Senate in 84-14 vote before a technical hiccup forced the camera vote on it again.

“This stuff got dope out but remember why it got dope out. When they passed it over here first time they did it wrongThune said, adding that they are Democrats. who “Fucked up up in first time.”

Sumer is expected force another vote on veterans account this week, having promised on Monday that he would bring it up “in coming days.”

“Went to give Senate Republicans chance do the right thing,” he said.

New York Democrat likely give Republicans off- ramp granting Toomey a vote on his proposed amendment, which the Pennsylvania Republican and many of his colleagues say what he asked for months.

” ball is in court of the leader and I didn’t hear what he decided to do…we weren’t told we had an amendment vote Planned. I hope it happens,” Toomey said on Monday.

The amendment’s explanation did little to curb Democrats’ accusations that the Republican Party had turned an uncontroversial plan into help veterans exposed to Agent Orange and toxic burns turn into political football. Democrats have sharply questioned the turn, given that 25 Republicans voted to block the bill. over budgetary issue Only on this is second trip to the floor is not his first.

“I do my best,” Sen said. John Tester (D-Mon.). “I don’t know [if] people really understand what they voted for on to be honest with you. There’s no slush fund in this is.”

It’s important to note that even if Toomey gets the vote, it’s expected that his amendment won’t be enough. support to end up getting – leaving Republicans with the same veterans bill the most of they voted to block last a week. And some still say they don’t want to kill legislation over correction push.

“If I get chance to vote for correction that I could vote for correction, but want do sure the bill is not killed,” the senator said. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) who added he generally agreed with Toomey’s anxiety. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also said that he generally supports the amendment.

However, Toomey tried to rally his colleagues behind holding up veterans account in private conference rooms; Republicans claim Democrats promised amendment vote on his worries back in June, only to give up.

These disputes have largely gone unnoticed until last the week the account crashed on in floor. Veterans’ Advocacy Groups Arrive in Washington, D.C. Expecting Celebration final pass – instead it became a railroad press conference against Republican Party senators who kept it up.

“Like someone who worked on this account for years, I just disappointed that some of my Republican colleagues, be it out of personal grudge or some misguided political motive… wanted roll over. But until it comes down to the right result, that’s what’s important for country and for veterans,” the senator said. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut).

Criticism did not allow up This week.

Comedian Jon Stewart is rallying along with the veterans who were in the camp outside Senate for days – on Monday hit the Republicans for slowing down the passage of the bill.

“I’m not afraid of you and I don’t care, because it’s people I should debt of gratitude,” Stewart said. “Don’t leave here tonight until you do the right thing with these people. It’s simple: don’t make it harder than it is.”

Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.

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