Jon Stewart on Republican opposition to war toxins bill: ‘F— that’

Jon Stewart on Wednesday blasted Republicans for their opposition to a bill aimed at addressing military toxic exposure, saying “F— that.”

The expletive-ridden comment came during a press conference with House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiBiden State of the Union: A plea for unity in unusual times Photos: President Biden’s first State of the Union Reynolds response hammers Biden for ‘weakness on world stage’ MORE (D-Calif.) and House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Chairman Mark TakanoMark Allan TakanoToxic-exposed veterans have held up their part of the pact — now it’s our turn  This week: Democrats set for showdown on voting rights, filibuster Key House chairman wants to lead official trip to Taiwan in January MORE (D-Calif.). 

Stewart and the lawmakers are pushing the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which seeks to give health care to veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits, among other initiatives.

Stewart, a vocal advocate on veterans issues, said proponents cannot allow Congress to stall on the bill.

He then pointed to an amendment House Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Mike BostMichael (Mike) J. BostMORE (R-Ill.) has introduced that calls for replacing the text of the bill with that of the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act, which expands health care eligibility for veterans exposed to toxic substances from five years after separation to 10 years.

“There’s going to be an amendment, and that amendment from ranking member Bost is going to say, ‘Hey, all these veteran service organizations and all these active military members have come together with Chairman Takano and Speaker Pelosi and the president of the United States, and they have designed a bill that will comprehensively address the urgent need in the veterans’ community,’” Stewart said.

“And ranking member Bost’s amendment is going to say, ‘Damn, that’s good work, so why don’t we just switch that out for five more years of health care? We good? Thanks guys, we’re good.’ F— that, not happening,” he added.

Stewart later quipped about the remark, telling Pelosi, “I don’t know where the swear jar is down here. But I’ll kick in a 20 — whatever you need.”

The push to support veterans exposed to toxic chemicals received a boost on Tuesday when President BidenJoe BidenBiden State of the Union: A plea for unity in unusual times Watch: Key moments from Biden’s first State of the Union address Five takeaways from Biden’s State of the Union address MORE mentioned the issue in his State of the Union address. He announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs will be taking new steps to care for veterans diagnosed with nine cancers that are related to toxic chemical exposure.

“The VA is pioneering new ways of linking toxic exposures to diseases, already helping more veterans get benefits,” Biden said in the House chamber. “And tonight, I’m announcing we’re expanding eligibility to veterans suffering from nine respiratory cancers.”

He also mentioned his son Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015. Beau served in Iraq, but the president said it is not clear if burn pits caused his brain cancer.