The former Daily Show host appeared on Fox News and Newsmax to address right-wing audiences to criticize GOP senators for what he says is a “disgrace.” Texas Senator Ted Cruz accused Mr. Stewart of misrepresenting the bill, saying Democrats were attempting a “fiscal gimmick” on the PACT Act. Mr. Cruz voted against the bill despite saying he supports it and supports veterans. “What Ted Cruz is describing is inaccurate, not true, bulls**t,” Stewart said in a video posted on Twitter, mocking Cruz for saying Democrats put “discretionary” funds into the legislation they made “mandatory.” “. Mr. Cruz was speaking about a budget dispute that was initially opposed by retired Republican Senator Pat Toomey. The Pennsylvanian claimed the legislation would mean $400 billion in already committed spending for veterans would not be controlled by annual congressional appropriations. Mr. Cruz was seen punching Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines on the Senate floor after the bill was defeated, angering Democrats and veterans groups. Democrats and Mr. Stewart have dismissed Republican claims about the bill. The comedian asked Mr. Cruz to clarify the $400 billion “blank check or extraneous spending that was added/drifted away.” “Now, I’m not a big-city, Harvard-educated lawyer, but I can read,” he said in a mock Southern drawl. “It’s always been mandatory spending, so the government can’t cut their funding at any point. No trick, no trick, I was there all along… “Jon, you’re a funny guy and I appreciate your engagement with public policy issues. This is good,” Mr. Cruz said in a video he posted on Twitter on Friday, claiming he strongly supports the bill and veterans across the country. “But if you’re going to do it, facts matter,” he said. The bill passed the Senate 84-14 on June 16, but was voted down after some changes were made to the legislation in the House, prompting 25 GOP senators to vote against the bill when it returned to their chambers. “The most despicable part of this thing is seeing on the floor of the Senate Ted Cruz punching each other and then backstabbing each other when they blocked this bill,” Mr. Stewart told MSNBC on Friday. He said Republicans who voted against the bill were “celebrating a victory over veterans with cancer.” “He’s talking about the PACT Act, which is a bill I support. It’s a bill that most senators support,” Mr. Cruz told TMZ about Mr. Stewart’s comments. He argued that the bill was “part of a spending spree from the left.” “There’s nothing in the bill that doesn’t relate to veterans’ spending. … This is for veterans who have suffered health effects from burns and other toxins. That’s it!” Mr Stewart said in his Twitter video. “You’re wrong here. The bill gives a blank check for $400 billion — separate from vet care — for unrelated pork that will add to inflation. I support the PACT Act and the $679.4 billion it will dedicate to vets. We are trying to use PACT to shovel out more pork that is being exploited by vets,” Mr. Cruz tweeted. “I’m not going to blame John for not knowing all the facts,” Fox News host Jesse Watters said on his show Friday. “In the future, let’s do this – I’ll do the research and Jon Stewart can handle the farming. It’s better for everyone that way.” “Ah dear Theodoris. I appreciate you and @JesseBWatters trying to rally the forces of misinformation to try and kill more vets…but no honey. I’m going slow because I know you only went to Princeton and Harvard…” Mr. Stewart replied. “This is not a game. The lives of real people hang in the balance…people who fought for your life. The PACT act that you voted for and then inexplicably shot down is the same one that Senators Tester and Moran posted online in May. Which you read cuz yer shmart,” he added.
