![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6GSYMZ745VOPNREQT3COHADWAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=45130102f7f58f3067c555bfd809cab1342c0eee34479a3b102f0644ed215344&width=400&height=225)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at a news conference at the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
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Jon Stewart speaks during a press conference about the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 in Washington. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart has long advocated for causes he believes in. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart hugs 9/11 advocate John Feal. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart has been championing causes for veterans for many years. Getty Images / AFP
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Senator John Tester and Stewart embrace. Getty Images / AFP
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Air Force veteran Tim Hauser speaks during Thursday's press conference. Getty Images / AFP
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An Afghan National Army pickup truck passes a fire in a trash burn pit south of Kabul, Afghanistan. AP
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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand addresses a news conference about military burn pits legislation outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart poses for a photograph with Lauren Grigsby, Charlotte Brock and Melinda Beyer whose friend, Marine Corps veteran Kate Hendricks, died after being exposed to burn pits. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YMYTRCERFK3F4ZK4PT2VTJLOXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b85579598681e1d2052e8b979ef86c54029322938d57f22d0f51836eac78a39&width=400&height=225)
Danielle Robinson, widow of Ohio Army National Guard veteran Health Robinson, who died in 2020 due to lung cancer caused by burn pits, addresses the crowds. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart talks with Ms Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
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Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Army Sgt First Class Heath Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
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Mr Schumer greets Brielle Robinson. Getty Images / AFP
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Congressman Raul Ruiz joins veterans, advocacy groups, activists, victims' families and fellow Democrats for a news conference about military burn pits legislation. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart, a long-time New Yorker, also advocated for 9/11 victims. Getty Images / AFP
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Trash at a burn pit in Forward Operating Base Zeebrudge, Helmand province, Afghanistan. US Marines / AFP
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Burn pits are commonly used by the US military to get rid of everything from plastic bottles to human waste to old tyres – all incinerated with the aid of jet fuel. US Marines / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6GSYMZ745VOPNREQT3COHADWAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=45130102f7f58f3067c555bfd809cab1342c0eee34479a3b102f0644ed215344&width=400&height=225)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at a news conference at the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
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Jon Stewart speaks during a press conference about the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 in Washington. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GZJDXQAR633GUGBFJJFLZD3EUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1735c49ce1effbf47f7b106bb0e5dd337c0e6b485034ee493def21b181ec9d9&width=400&height=225)
Stewart has long advocated for causes he believes in. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5XRNUBRWQC2XC4IYLWBT2KGX24.jpg?smart=true&auth=904b613426253882bac98d641cd9c14dff94c063e2a7a3b329a1dccae27b1a6c&width=400&height=225)
Stewart hugs 9/11 advocate John Feal. Getty Images / AFP
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Stewart has been championing causes for veterans for many years. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C3WTSOXG5S72WAKNXALEQYDPGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6c64a2ad588aea195164690e78e35e05992a9be3946739f81952bc1d9f2d814c&width=400&height=225)
Senator John Tester and Stewart embrace. Getty Images / AFP
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Air Force veteran Tim Hauser speaks during Thursday's press conference. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CODT2GXDHUAJNHJLCRVICP7TZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e2955dfe594b0b028e3d03e18a5ebf58e5d86220d1cc73f695a5efd96f7ab6fc&width=400&height=225)
An Afghan National Army pickup truck passes a fire in a trash burn pit south of Kabul, Afghanistan. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NBR7YUB3PVKSYHMLRO6HQTUCHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=666c5713896f76f6b0de7ce52cfc92ac74966c31a06effe0d720764921520808&width=400&height=225)
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand addresses a news conference about military burn pits legislation outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5ARIZPNZRXZTIUZNTCFDXN4IX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b72e48777691bf3e00a6f6eb70f382d6b8ae77a85cf239a307be5f3324e5bb8f&width=400&height=225)
Stewart poses for a photograph with Lauren Grigsby, Charlotte Brock and Melinda Beyer whose friend, Marine Corps veteran Kate Hendricks, died after being exposed to burn pits. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YMYTRCERFK3F4ZK4PT2VTJLOXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b85579598681e1d2052e8b979ef86c54029322938d57f22d0f51836eac78a39&width=400&height=225)
Danielle Robinson, widow of Ohio Army National Guard veteran Health Robinson, who died in 2020 due to lung cancer caused by burn pits, addresses the crowds. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TUEHNQMON6RQ3MTQHICXGFXCKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc9a6ae7a5d30e7756ce62889dc083983696850303e7a25285f17e8386efd8c7&width=400&height=225)
Stewart talks with Ms Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BGD5TRO5G5ODZPWVOCKQFJKDKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f3cd4834e1f4b17749f99c8df27ab07cefabb08fa9769124b6b2c703ccbe92e&width=400&height=225)
Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Army Sgt First Class Heath Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZU7CT2TM3YC3LOYEPZHM3YGFJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba45090948e995ebd030df0aa2f8fec252caec5971e44955e5b35011e8f3d2ca&width=400&height=225)
Mr Schumer greets Brielle Robinson. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L7WGP5IPEDWHJ6J6USAT3FW6T4.jpg?smart=true&auth=525e0f06ac08716123d285a3d3d10767932df70194aa23109f0592a5947458a3&width=400&height=225)
Congressman Raul Ruiz joins veterans, advocacy groups, activists, victims' families and fellow Democrats for a news conference about military burn pits legislation. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/65XNHQX2HYYBC5HV3OKM7GFCFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1c13150de2c79364ec30e4aa02626ec0c73722cd6c9e18d639ee752bf5eb4d4e&width=400&height=225)
Stewart, a long-time New Yorker, also advocated for 9/11 victims. Getty Images / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G4DB6ZWDRS537EBL3TGTIYG6GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=647577126a835e78eb397cf49623763affbbdc9c7014594e829e351fe0c0b50f&width=400&height=225)
Trash at a burn pit in Forward Operating Base Zeebrudge, Helmand province, Afghanistan. US Marines / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KHNTQ32LIONCFU3IA3YY2APRCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=958ca1402c1ff140b88b7af13b3144e5bb78c2b40e1bbcf101a4749d54ad6450&width=400&height=225)
Burn pits are commonly used by the US military to get rid of everything from plastic bottles to human waste to old tyres – all incinerated with the aid of jet fuel. US Marines / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6GSYMZ745VOPNREQT3COHADWAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=45130102f7f58f3067c555bfd809cab1342c0eee34479a3b102f0644ed215344&width=400&height=225)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at a news conference at the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP
US Senate passes bill to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits
Comedian Jon Stewart campaigned for bill's passing that will go to US House next for a vote
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The National
17 June, 2022
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