The Archive

What you can do to help burn pit victims and those who served alongside us in Afghanistan

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) joins Jon to describe the frustrating circumstances that led to her fiery speech on the House floor last week, when several Republicans tried blocking a bill for veterans before ultimately voting for it. Later, they explore why being from a competitive district like hers is different than a safe district—and the governing challenges of working with an opposing party that won’t compromise. Staff writers Jay Jurden and Kasaun Wilson are also here to break down Herschel Walker’s abortion scandal and explain why none of his hypocrisies have derailed his campaign so far.

Jon is joined by staff writers Kasaun Wilson and Rob Christensen to talk about his fight to get the PACT Act—which gives urgently needed healthcare to sick veterans—passed in the Senate. He discusses battling Republican misinformation and the behind-the-scenes work it took to achieve this victory. Plus, Kay and Rob chat about their struggle to behave in the Senate gallery, Jon’s Bernie Sanders impression, and what the Senate has in common with an assisted living facility.

It’s Veterans Day, so we're talking to some vets. Jon is joined by Staff Sergeant Wesley Black, who sadly passed away shortly after this episode was recorded, and Sergeant Isiah James. You may remember them from the Apple TV+ episode we did on burn pits—if you didn’t see it, you really should. Jon also catches up with his friend, Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro.

Like the annoying guy at a party who won’t shut up about Bitcoin, we have some investment advice: America needs to invest more in our veterans, both emotionally and financially. So today, Jon sits down with some staff who are very emotionally invested, and also talks to Professor Linda Bilmes about her proposed solution for investing more financially.

Jon figured out how to podcast! In our first episode, he's joined by two staff members who happen to be veterans to discuss their experiences. Then, he sits down with Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to talk about what’s being done in Congress to help vets suffering from toxic exposure.

Jon is joined by staff writers Kasaun Wilson and Rob Christensen to talk about his fight to get the PACT Act — which gives urgently needed health care to sick veterans -— passed in the Senate this week. He talks about battling the misinformation Republicans were spewing and the behind-the-scenes work it took to make the victory happen. Plus, Kay and Rob on their struggle to behave in the Senate gallery, Jon’s Bernie Sanders impression, and what the Senate has in common with an assisted living facility.

Ted Cruz thinks Jon Stewart is a funny guy – so he’ll definitely enjoy Jon’s point-by-point breakdown of the lies Cruz is spouting about the PACT Act. The bill, which would give health care to sick veterans, is being held up by Cruz and his Senate Republican colleagues who are giving patently false reasons for blocking the bill.

“This is an embarrassment – to the Senate, to the country, to the founders, and all that they profess to hold dear. If this is America first, then America is fucked.” Jon Stewart joined an impassioned press conference on Thursday, calling out Republican Senators who are blocking passage of the PACT Act in the Senate. The bill will expand healthcare and benefits for the more than three million veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. The Senate originally passed the legislation in June with extraordinary bipartisan support. The House passed it shortly thereafter, and it arrived back to the Senate on Wednesday for final passage. But a group of Republican lawmakers, led by Sen. Pat Toomey, decided to block the measure for purely political reasons, costing sick veterans time they do not have.

For our first episode, Jon met with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough to talk about toxic exposure and what’s standing in the way of veterans getting the care they need. Watch the full episode on Apple TV+.

In this digital exclusive panel, Jon sits down with experts and stakeholders (Admiral Mike Mullen, Kerry Baker, Rosie Torres, Stephanie Savell, Sergeant Isiah James, and Staff Sergeant Wesley Black) to discuss the cost of America's wars and what the way forward might be to help our veterans.

How much proof does it take to show that the toxic chemicals released by burn pits made veterans sick? Or that they're the same chemicals in Agent Orange? Maybe a few official memos could help.