Ahead of House Passage, IFPTE Requests Congress Pass Bill to Provide Support to Veterans Suffering from Toxic Exposure
On Thursday, ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives, IFPTE urged Members of Congress to pass the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act, or Honoring Our PACT Act, H.R. 3967. This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Takano, was passed by the House on Thursday afternoon by vote of 256-174.
The Honoring our PACT Act incorporates several bipartisan proposals that would provide overdue and necessary healthcare and disability benefits to as many as 3.5 million veterans with service-connected exposure to airborne toxins and burn pits. The bill establishes presumption of service connection for 23 illnesses and disabilities resulting from airborne exposure, a presumption of exposure to radiation, expands presumption for Agent Orange exposure, streamlines access and eligibility to Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for affected veterans, requires VA to implement standardized training on presumption of airborne toxic exposure and conduct outreach for veterans and caregivers, and improves data collection and analysis of illnesses and treatment related to toxic exposure.
In the letter, IFPTE reminded Members of Congress that “IFPTE households and our members’ families include veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists. This legislation is about fulfilling a commitment to Americans who have served and sacrificed for our nation, Americans who are a part of our communities, our families, and our union.”
IFPTE’s letter also notes that President Biden appealed to Congress during this week’s State of the Union address that Congress mush "make sure veterans devastated by toxic exposures in Iraq and Afghanistan finally get the benefits and the comprehensive health care that they deserve."
IFPTE will advocate for the Senate passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act so this legislation is delivered to President Biden’s desk and signed into law.
Read a PDF of IFPTE’s letter to the House requesting passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act here.