The internet has been swept up in a frenzy over a video that shows Senator Ted Cruz of Texas giving Senator Steve Daines of Montana and other Republicans a fist bump shortly after rejecting the PACT Act.
The ‘Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act’ was defeated in the Senate on Wednesday. This was due to the fact that 42 Republicans voted against the burn pits bill, which resulted in the bill falling short of the total number of 60 votes required for it to pass.
According to reports, among the 42 Republicans who opposed the decision was a group of 25 members of the GOP who had supported the bill back in June. However, because the House of Representatives had made some technical amendments to the law, the Senate was required to request a new vote.
If the PACT act had been passed, it would have enabled veterans who had been exposed to hazardous situations such as burn pits or radiation while they were serving in the military to gain access to improved medical facilities.
On the other hand, Senator Pat Toomey, who was the leader of the opposition to the bill, referred to the act as a “budgetary gimmick” and asserted that it would result in the creation of a “slush fund.”
Shortly after the PACT Act was stopped from becoming law, a number of regular folks and notable activists criticised members of the GOP for voting against the bill. In addition, video evidence showing Republicans celebrating the ruling while they were in the Senate caused some individuals to feel indignant.
Twitter reacts to Ted Cruz fist bumping video after blocking the PACT act
Several people all around the United States are dissatisfied as a result of the obstruction of the PACT act. After a video showing Ted Cruz giving the middle finger to Republicans was posted online, people of social media became enraged.
A spokesman for Cruz told Newsweek that the senator supports the PACT legislation but voted against the measure because the most recent version featured an alleged “irresponsible Democratic clause” as internet responses continued to come in:
In addition to this, the spokesperson added that Cruz was working with his fellow Republicans to progress the bill while simultaneously deleting the provision. They also asserted that Democrats were aware of the issues prior to the vote but chose not to make any changes to the measure, which is what led to the act being held up in its present state of limbo.
Jon Stewart calls out Ted Cruz over blocking of PACT Act
They went on to say that Democrats and Republicans should collaborate on “fixing this issue” and “preventing inflationary spending” in order to move the PACT Act closer to becoming a law as quickly as possible.
Since the beginning of the fight for passage of the PACT Act, comedian and activist Jon Stewart has been a strong proponent of the legislation. In light of the fact that this bill was not passed into law, Stewart delivered a speech at the Capitol in which he criticised Republicans for voting against the act.
During her appearance on Morning Joe, the activist was also interviewed by MSNBC’s Willie Geist, where she criticised Ted Cruz for his celebratory tone on the bill’s failure to pass:
While this was going on, Cruz was said to have given an interview to TMZ at an airport, where he called Stewart’s opinion on the matter “very humorous.” The senator further stated that the Democrats were engaging in a “budgetary trick” by attempting to make “discretionary” expenditure and to “obligatory” by moving through with the bill.
Jon Stewart continued his response to Ted Cruz’s comments by stating that Cruz’s claims were “incorrect” and “not true”:
The former cast member of The Daily Show wrapped up his discussion by making fun of Ted Cruz’s video in which he is shown celebrating with his colleagues by giving each other a fist bump after “removing the same veterans’ benefits and healthcare for poisonous wounds.”