{"id":67104,"date":"2022-02-11T01:20:52","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T01:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:07:40","slug":"paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decade after decade, American men and women have deployed to countries across the globe in the defense of our freedom. Thousands of them were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2022\/01\/05\/new-in-2022-when-will-all-burn-pit-victims-finally-get-veterans-benefits\/?contentQuery=%7B%22section%22%3A%22%2Fhome%22%2C%22exclude%22%3A%22%2Fveterans%22%2C%22from%22%3A35%2C%22size%22%3A10%7D&#038;contentFeatureId=f0fmoahPVC2AbfL-2-1-8\" target=\"_blank\">exposed to harmful toxins<\/a> during that service that resulted in life-altering health conditions. And far too many of them face yet another battle here at home when seeking the care and the benefits they desperately need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our nation\u2019s service members, veterans, their families and their survivors are all too familiar with the lasting effects caused by exposure to toxic substances during military service. For many, these devastating long-term health effects are sometimes not identified for years, leaving veterans with limited options once they finally seek the timely care and the assistance they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2022\/01\/19\/everyone-wants-to-help-military-toxic-exposure-victims-not-all-want-to-pay\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IraqCombatTroops.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Everyone wants to help military toxic exposure victims. Not all want to pay.<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Lawmakers support the idea but face problems paying for the nearly $300 billion plan.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago. In the trenches of World War I, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2017\/08\/17\/trump-signs-bill-to-help-world-war-ii-vets-exposed-to-mustard-gas\/\" target=\"_blank\">mustard gas<\/a>. In the jungles of Vietnam, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2021\/04\/15\/troops-exposed-to-agent-orange-outside-of-vietnam-could-be-in-line-for-presumptive-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\">Agent Orange<\/a>. And despite repeated examples of the harmful and lasting impacts of toxic exposure on our military men and women, the widespread use of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/veterans\/2022\/01\/19\/everyone-wants-to-help-military-toxic-exposure-victims-not-all-want-to-pay\/\" target=\"_blank\">burn pits<\/a> \u2014 waste disposed by burning \u2014 in the Middle East has left our latest generation of veterans struggling with the increasingly serious and complex medical conditions associated with exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 3.5 million post-9\/11 combat veterans may have experienced some level of exposure to burn pits during their service. Many of these veterans could be living with undiagnosed illnesses linked to military toxic exposures. For this new generation of veterans, treatment options and resources are not always available or even fully understood. These veterans do not even receive routine screenings for toxic exposures that could connect certain conditions to their service and ensure they are receiving the care they need from VA providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our veterans deserve better. And they are tired of waiting for solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why we \u2014 as the leaders of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee \u2014 have introduced the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veterans.senate.gov\/newsroom\/majority-news\/tester-moran-introduce-landmark-bill-to-provide-health-care-for-post-9\/11-toxic-exposed-veterans\" target=\"_blank\">Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act<\/a><i> <\/i>\u2014 bipartisan legislation that will offer every post-9\/11 veteran suffering from effects of toxic exposures access to timely and high-quality care through the VA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It does so by expanding the period of VA health care eligibility for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001 from five years following discharge to 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would also provide a one-year open enrollment period for post-9\/11 veterans who have already missed their window of eligibility. And it would establish an outreach plan for VA to contact veterans who did not enroll during their initial period of enhanced eligibility to ensure they are fully aware of the options available to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are proud that our bipartisan legislation, supported by the entire Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee and numerous Veterans Service Organizations, would mandate training for health care providers and benefits specialists to ensure a higher level of competence across the VA to make certain veterans receive exemplary treatment and service. Finally, our legislation would direct VA to incorporate a clinical screening to inquire about a veteran\u2019s potential exposures and symptoms commonly associated with toxic exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2022\/02\/01\/new-burn-pit-bill-promises-immediate-help-for-vets-but-some-call-bs\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/201591.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">New burn pit bill promises immediate help for vets, but some call \u2018BS\u2019<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The new Senate proposal is at odds with a more ambitious House plan to address toxic exposure injuries.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This legislation is the first step in a phased approach to ensure Congress is finally able to deliver comprehensive and historic toxic exposure reforms. Looking ahead, there is still much work to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the coming weeks, we will be announcing additional bipartisan efforts that will bring us closer to the creation of a fair and transparent process for VA to establish new presumptive conditions, and to the delivery of long-overdue benefits to millions of toxic exposure veterans across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the meantime, time is running out. VA can <i>and should<\/i> continue using existing authority to evaluate and amend its presumptive decision-making process to grant benefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Solutions to this complex problem cannot be generated by Congress alone. They require a strategic and systematic approach \u2014 informed by stakeholders and coordinated with VA and experts in medicine and research. And it is crucial that reform is appropriately implemented seamlessly, and in a way that does not disrupt ongoing VA operations or the delivery of care and benefits to veterans already in the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Words alone cannot deliver the solutions owed to our nation\u2019s heroes. We must seize the opportunity at hand to advance legislation that will bring us one step closer to connecting all generations of veterans with the care they need and have earned. Passing the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act is the first step in doing just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., serves as the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is the committee\u2019s ranking member. They introduced the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act last week, which passed unanimously out of committee on Feb. 2 and will be considered by the full Senate.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have an opinion?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>This article is an Op-Ed and as such, the opinions expressed are those of the authors. If you would like to respond, or have an editorial of your own you would like to submit, please <\/i><a href=\"mailto:haltman@militarytimes.com\"><i>email Military Times Managing Editor Howard Altman<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>Want more perspectives like this sent straight to you? <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/link.militarytimes.com\/join\/5b9\/sign-up-opinion\"><i>Subscribe to get our Commentary &amp; Opinion newsletter<\/i><\/a><i> once a week.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":60789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":73,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[73,101,23,89,26,14],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1517,662],"class_list":["post-67104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-daily-news-roundup","category-home","category-middle-column","category-newsletters","category-opinion"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"5C2OFLWDMJDOPN7X5VVSVUMSMY","arc_canonical_url":"\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/10\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Navy Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jon Tester, Sen. Jerry Moran\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jon Tester, Sen. Jerry Moran\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 876,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/884326.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Commentary\",\n\t                \"Daily News Roundup\",\n\t                \"Home\",\n\t                \"Middle Column\",\n\t                \"Newsletters\",\n\t                \"Opinion\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words - Navy Times\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/884326.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/884326.jpg.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/884326.jpg.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/11\\\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Opinion\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"opinion\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 3,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Commentary\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/opinion\\\/commentary\\\/\",\n\t                    \"ad_zone\": \"commentary\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 4,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Navy Times\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Independent News For Sailors | Navy Times\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Navy Times\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/navy-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/navy-logo-white.png\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Navy Times\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/navytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words - Navy Times","description":"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words","og_description":"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/","og_site_name":"Navy Times","article_published_time":"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00","author":"Jon Tester, Sen. Jerry Moran","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jon Tester, Sen. Jerry Moran","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words","datePublished":"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/"},"wordCount":876,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/884326.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["Commentary","Daily News Roundup","Home","Middle Column","Newsletters","Opinion"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/","name":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words - Navy Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/884326.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2022-02-11T01:20:52+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T13:07:40+00:00","description":"The use of toxic chemicals in war zones and combat operations dates back more than a century ago.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/884326.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/884326.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2022\/02\/11\/paying-the-cost-of-war-through-bipartisan-action-not-words\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Opinion","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/","ad_zone":"opinion"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Commentary","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/","ad_zone":"commentary"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Paying the cost of war through bipartisan action, not words"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","name":"Navy Times","description":"Independent News For Sailors | Navy Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#organization","name":"Navy Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/navy-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/navy-logo-white.png","caption":"Navy Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Navy Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes","push-errors":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/884326.jpg.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67104"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67123,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67104\/revisions\/67123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67104"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=67104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}