Veterans across the country are rejoicing after the Senate approved a bill designed to improve health care for those exposed to toxic burn pits while in combat.

Juan Leon, of Amityville, is one of the veterans who was sent overseas and was waiting to see the bill get through Congress.

Leon was a combat medic in 2008 and 2009. He wanted to know why legislators seemed to let other issues get in the way of the well-being of over 3 million veterans exposed to burn pits - areas of U.S. military bases where waste was disposed of by burning.

"One thing I've always said to the people that know me is that if there's one issue on Capitol Hill that should be non-partisan - it's helping the vets," Leon says. "That's the truth."

The bill still awaits President Joe Biden's signature. It would provide billions of dollars in aid for veterans exposed to burn pits and potential toxins.

"All kinds of things were burned in there - they were using jet fuel and we have veterans with very serious health conditions," Leon says.

The legislation would also speed up disability payouts for veterans suffering from respiratory illnesses and cancers believed to be linked to toxic smoke.