Jon Stewart Advocates for K2 Veterans' Health

Comedian Jon Stewart expressed frustration after a meeting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding veterans affected by uranium exposure at the K2 base in Uzbekistan, which served as a deployment site post-9/11. Despite the PACT Act, a veterans aid bill signed by President Biden in 2022, failing to address this issue, many veterans are still waiting for recognition of their illnesses linked to the toxic environment at K2. The base, contaminated with yellow powdered uranium, exhibited radiation levels up to 40,000 times higher than natural levels, posing serious health risks. Many veterans have already succumbed to these illnesses, and the ongoing delays have angered Stewart and the affected troops. During the meeting, VA Secretary Denis McDonough stated he has the authority to make changes but no decision has been reached yet on covering their claims. The VA is reportedly collaborating with the Pentagon to assess radiation levels at the base, but veterans remain in limbo regarding their health coverage.