"Stab vets in the back Senators...there are real people who face tragic consequences for their fuckery” - Jon Stewart
"In an eleventh-hour act of cowardice, Republicans chose today to rob generations of toxic-exposed veterans across this country of the health care and benefits they've earned and so desperately need. Make no mistake—the American people are sick and tired of these games." - Senator Jon Tester
Where are the veterans who'll suffer from this Republican ambush? Check this map for details by tract, county and state. You'll also see what percent of the adult population they represent and how to contact the Senators who were elected to represent them but betrayed them instead.
Mapping the Republican ambush of veterans' benefits
Republicans Vote Against Bill Expanding Care for War Veterans
Fourteen Republican Senators on Thursday voted against a proposed bill that would expand health care for veterans of the U.S. military. The U.S. Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 in a bipartisan effort to address health care, research, resources and more for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service. All Democrats voted for the bill.
The bill provides mental health services, counseling and other forms of medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans eligible for such care include those who "participated in a toxic exposure risk activity," which is designated as a required "qualifying activity" as part of an exposure tracking record system. - Newsweek
GOP Act of Cowardice
Veterans who are likely to benefit from the legislation include those affected by Agent Orange, in addition to the approximate 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans exposed to burn pits during deployments. Senators Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, and Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, introduced the bill. Tester said Congress had "a chance to do the right thing by their families and future generations of our all-volunteer military."
The Senate Republicans who voted against the bill include: Richard Burr of North Carolina, Mike Crapo of Idaho, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Rand Paul of Kentucky, James Risch of Idaho, Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Richard Shelby of Alabama, John Thune of South Dakota, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. - Newsweek
Hold them accountable
How do you show people the consequences of a political decision? Where the pain will be felt? Who was responsible for it? Use a map which people can understand and see for themselves.
This map was created with ArcGIS Online using data from Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey. Zoom into get details of veterans living in a state, county or census tract. Senators' phone numbers and emails appear in a pop box as well.
Senator's salaries and health benefits
The annual salary of each senator is $174,000, with senate leadership earning up to $223,500 per year. Approximately 40% of senators are millionaires. - Contact Senators
Senators get 72% subsidized health insurance; a $25 per month on-site Capitol Hill gym membership with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and paddleball. There is an onsite beauty salon and member dedicated subway to shuttle members around the Hill. Taxpayers spent $10MM over the last five-years on elevator doormen whose job it is to hit the buttons and hold doors. - Forbes
Use GIFs to present the facts
This GIF was created with the free iMovie app and EZGIF. Learn how to create your own such GIFS for free here.
TakeAway: Use maps to show the consequences of a political decision and how people can hold politicians accountable.
Deepak
DemLabs
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41 Republican senators blocked a bill
- John Barrasso of Wyoming
- Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming
- Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
- Bill Hagerty of Tennessee
- Josh Hawley of Missouri
- Roy Blunt of Missouri
- Mike Braun of Indiana
- Todd Young of Indiana
- Richard Burr of North Carolina
- Thom Tillis of North Carolina
- Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
- John Kennedy of Louisiana
- John Cornyn of Texas
- Ted Cruz of Texas
- Tom Cotton of Arkansas
- Dan Sullivan of Arkansas
- Kevin Cramer of North Dakota
- Steve Daines of Montana
- Joni Ernst of Iowa
- Deb Fischer of Nebraska
- Ben Sasse of Nebraska
- Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi
- Roger Wicker of Mississippi
- Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma
- James Lankford of Oklahoma
- Ron Johnson of Wisconsin
- Mike Lee of Utah
- Mitt Romney of Utah
- Roger Marshall of Kansas
- Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
- Rand Paul of Kentucky
- Rob Portman of Ohio
- Mike Crapo of Idaho
- James Risch of Idaho
- Mike Rounds of South Dakota
- John Thune of South Dakota
- Rick Scott of Florida
- Tim Scott of South Carolina
- Richard Shelby of Alabama
- Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
- Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania