It Took Sen. Daines 96 Hours (+ One Fist Bump) To Finally Do the Right Thing.
Sen. Tester’s PACT Act Passes, Despite Senator Daines Dragging His Feet
Helena, MT – Last night, Senator Tester’s PACT Act passed the Senate, marking a historic and critical investment in veterans’ health care. 96 hours after first voting no and fist bumping Sen. Ted Cruz to celebrate the no vote— and 96 hours of ignoring protesting veterans camped out on the steps of the Capitol— Senator Steve Daines finally reversed course and joined Senator Tester in voting yes on the historic bill to provide veterans’ healthcare. His office insisted in statements to Montana reporters that his original opposition was a principled decision, and not a blatantly petty and political stance in response to the announcement of a separate bill to reduce the deficit and lower costs for families. There was not a single difference between the bill that Daines voted no on last week and the bill he voted yes on yesterday.
Senator Daines made national news when reporters shared video footage of him fistbumping Senator Ted Cruz in celebration after voting no. Understandably, folks were upset:
“Daines tried playing a political stunt with veterans’ lives on the line,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “All I can say is, thank God Montana Veterans have Senator Tester to put politics aside and get the work done.”
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