On Veterans Issues, Democrats Should Tout Accomplishments to Change Perceptions
By Natasha Chisholm
In August, President Biden signed into law the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a piece of legislation that expands benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their service. The PACT Act represents one of the largest expansions of veterans’ benefits in U.S. history, and it is anticipated to help more than 3.5 million American veterans.
Among other provisions, the PACT Act includes $280 billion to expand healthcare benefits and services to cover veterans who were exposed to toxic substances overseas.
Before its passage, the PACT Act had overwhelming, bipartisan support across the aisle and passed easily in the House. But when it came to a vote in the Senate, Republican senators abruptly blocked it, even though they had expressed their support a few days prior. Senate Republicans claimed they held up the bill for a budgetary concern, but Democrats argued they were retaliating after Senate Democrats reached an agreement on the Inflation Reduction Act. The PACT Act ultimately passed the Senate about a week later — after significant outrage and pressure from advocates, including former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, a leading advocate for veterans issues — but the moment reflected Republicans’ willingness to use veterans as political pawns. This represents a discrepancy between voter perception of Republicans and the actual reality in Congress.
In fact, research from 2018 found that while Republicans talk more about veterans when campaigning and pay more lip service to veterans issues, Democrats are more effective legislators for veterans policy.
This has produced a false sense of security among veterans that Republicans will do more for them. With Republican efforts to block the PACT Act revealed, it’s clear that Democrats work harder to pass legislation that expands services and benefits veterans.
Despite Democrats being at the forefront of campaigns to expand healthcare and services for underserved populations — including veterans — new polling from Data for Progress finds that over half of likely voters (51 percent) believe that the Republican Party is the most supportive of veterans. This includes a plurality of Independents (43 percent).
This has significant electoral implications, especially considering our polling also finds that most American voters (83 percent) personally know a veteran.
Data for Progress polling also finds that an overwhelming majority of voters (92 percent) support the PACT Act.
In fact, around three-quarters of voters (74 percent) believe that veterans should receive more benefits than the average American.
Moreover, an overwhelming majority of voters across partisan identities have a “very favorable” view of U.S. veterans (78 percent) and the military (64 percent). A slight plurality of voters share a similar view of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 percent).
Half of all likely voters (50 percent) believe that veterans receive worse healthcare from VA medical facilities compared to what most Americans receive.
With the midterms right around the corner, Democrats should highlight their commitment to expand veterans’ benefits and expose the Republican hypocrisy on display during the PACT Act vote. Democrats must make an effort to reclaim the narrative that Republicans are the party that best advocates for veterans. Furthermore, Democrats should continue advocating to protect and expand benefits and services for veterans, and help honor the service of those who risked their lives for the U.S. overseas.
Natasha Chisholm is a political intern at Data for Progress.