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A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 7 august 2023

McConnell is warmly embraced by Kentucky Republicans amid

questions about his health

By Bruce Schreiner ic. in recent weeks, prompt-
Associated Press McConnell’s health has ing questions among some
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — U.S. drawn increased attention of his colleagues about his
Senate Republican leader since he briefly left his own health.
Mitch McConnell received news conference in Wash- He has said he plans to
a rousing welcome from ington on July 26 after stop- serve his full term as Re-
the party faithful Saturday ping his remarks midsen- publican leader — he was
at a high-profile home- tence and staring off into elected to a two-year term
state political gathering space for several seconds. in January and would be
amid renewed scrutiny of GOP colleagues standing up for reelection to that
his health after the 81-year- behind him grabbed his post again after the 2024
old lawmaker froze up mid- elbows and escorted him elections. McConnell was
sentence during a recent back to his office. When he first elected to the Senate in
Capitol Hill news confer- returned to answer ques- 1984 and has been the Re-
ence. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., smiles while tions, McConnell said he publican leader since 2007.
“This is my 28th Fancy Farm, giving speaking at the Graves County Republican Party Breakfast was “fine.” Asked if he is still He would face reelection
and I want to assure you it’s at WK&T Technology Park in Mayfield, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 5, able to do his job, he said, to the Senate in 2026.
not my last,” McConnell 2023. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP) “Yeah.” At the breakfast event Sat-
said at the top of his break- power in Kentucky, arrived a former McConnell staffer McConnell was out of the urday, McConnell did not
fast speech before the an- to a prolonged standing who is the party’s nominee Senate for almost six weeks delve into national issues or
nual picnic that is the tradi- ovation and promoted the for governor. McConnell earlier this year after falling comment on former Presi-
tional jumping off point for candidacy of a protege slammed Democratic poli- and hitting his head after dent Donald Trump’s legal
the fall campaign season running for governor this cies from Washington to a dinner event at a Wash- entanglements, and he did
in Kentucky. It was his only year. Kentucky. He bemoaned ington hotel. He was hos- not meet with reporters af-
reference, however vague, Later at the Fancy Farm high inflation pinching fam- pitalized for several days, terward. In his nine-minute
to his health. picnic, McConnell made a ily budgets and Democrat- and his office later said he speech, McConnell ac-
McConnell, who is widely pitch for the GOP statewide ic Gov. Andy Beshear’s re- suffered a concussion and cused Democrats of hav-
regarded as the main ar- ticket in November, which strictions during the height fractured a rib. His speech ing “turned their backs on
chitect of the GOP’s rise to is led by Daniel Cameron, of the COVID-19 pandem- has sounded more halting rural America.”q

Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure as

new law nears anniversary

By Chris Megerian migraines and a hip frac- since the law was enacted.
Associated Press ture, it wasn’t until President In addition, more than 4.1
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ni- Joe Biden signed legislation million veterans have com-
cole Leger always thought known as the PACT Act last pleted toxic screenings,
of the burn pits at military year that her monthly pay- which are questionnaires
bases in Afghanistan as ments expanded to take to analyze their potential
more like campfires than into account the impact exposure and determine
health hazards. Ordered to of the burn pits. Now 34 whether additional tests
dispose of sensitive docu- years old, Leger and her are required.
ments, she would toss the fiancé have moved out Implementing the legisla-
paperwork into the flames of a cramped townhouse tion has proved challeng-
while catching up with fel- and into a larger home in ing for the VA despite hir-
low soldiers, moments of a suburb of Tampa, Florida, ing new staff to accom-
quiet bonding that provid- where their four children modate a historic influx
ed a respite from her riskier can each have a bed- of claims. The backlog is
work as a hastily trained room. Nicole Leger works from her home office Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in about 266,000, meaning
Lithia, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
medic for the U.S. Army. “I still wake up pinching waits of at least four months
“We really didn’t see that myself,” she said. proved. Biden will mark the law’s for claims to be processed,
it was dangerous at the Leger is one beneficiary of Under the law, certain can- anniversary at a Veterans and the list is expected to
time,” she said. “It was just the largest expansion of cers and ailments are pre- Affairs hospital in Salt Lake grow to 450,000 in October
part of the mission. So we veterans assistance in de- sumed to be connected to City on Thursday. Accord- and 730,000 in April. During
had to get it done.” cades, and the administra- the burn pits that were used ing to administration statis- a recent oversight hear-
But then her sinus problems tion is racing to sign up as to dispose of trash and po- tics, the Department of Vet- ing. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.,
began, only worsening many people as possible tentially toxic materials. For erans Affairs has received expressed concern about
after she returned home, as the first anniversary of veterans who served during nearly 786,000 disability “bad trends.”
where she sometimes found the law approaches. Al- the Vietnam War, hyper- claims under the PACT Act, Despite the growing back-
herself gasping for breath though there’s no dead- tension and other condi- processed almost 435,000 log, the VA has kept up
at night. She remembered line to apply, anyone who tions were added to the list and approved more than its outreach efforts. It has
thinking, “This wasn’t who I files a claim or simply sig- of problems presumed to 348,000. spent $7.5 million on adver-
was before I got in.” nals the intent to do so by be caused by exposure to About 111,000 veterans tising, including a billboard
Although Leger already Wednesday could collect Agent Orange, which was who are believed to have in New York’s Times Square,
received disability benefits payments retroactive to used by the U.S. military to toxic exposure have en- and hosted events around
for post-traumatic stress, last year if the claim is ap- clear vegetation. rolled in VA health care the country. q