Comic Jon Stewart has lengthy been an advocate for America's veterans and 9/11 first responders. And as burn pit laws was thrust into the nationwide highlight this week, he sat down with CBS Information to debate the nation's responsibility to assist those that put their lives on the road to defend it.
"They lived as much as the settlement. They lived as much as their finish of the cut price," Stewart just lately instructed "CBS Night Information" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell in an episode of "Particular person to Particular person," which is able to air subsequent week. "You fought for the nation, and the nation has to carry up its settlement to you. That is the price of battle. You may't — do not penalize veterans in your budgeting error."
Stewart spoke to O'Donnell earlier than the Senate did not move a procedural vote that will have cleared the best way for a vote on laws that will have broadened advantages for the roughly 3.5 million veterans uncovered to poisonous burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Veterans have developed diseases, together with terminal cancers, after returning house from battle. However underneath the present legal guidelines, they have been required to point out the Division of Veterans Affairs that their diseases have been related to burn pit publicity. The laws would have eliminated that burden of proof by assuming sure situations have been associated to publicity from the poisonous fumes.
"A poisonous wound is an IED that goes off in your physique six to 9 to 10 years later," Stewart stated. "All people's immune system is totally different. So you could develop a glioblastoma from six months' publicity. You might develop it from a three-week publicity. And it could not current itself for 5 years or seven years. Sadly, folks suppose veterans get well being look after life. They do not."
Stewart additionally made headlines for his feedback after the vote failed, by which he referred to as the choice "a humiliation to the Senate, to the nation, to the founders and all that they profess to carry expensive."
"And if that is 'America First,' then America is f*****," he stated at a press convention.
The invoice, generally known as the Honoring Our PACT Act, may nonetheless move — however will probably be a problem for the Senate to ship it to President Biden, who helps the laws, earlier than the August recess.
Eleanor Watson contributed reporting.
In a brand new episode of "Particular person to Particular person," "CBS Night Information" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell sits down with comic Jon Stewart to speak about his work as an advocate for 9/11 first responders and America's veterans. The intimate dialog comes forward of the Warrior Video games, which Stewart will host for the sixth time.
The interview premieres Tuesday night time at 10:30 p.m. ET and seven:30 PT on the CBS Information app. Obtain it in your cellphone, pill or Sensible TV and watch reside or on demand anytime.