After a roller coaster ride through Congress, PACT Act expands benefits for post-9/11 veterans.
If you were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances overseas during service, you now have a new menu of care and benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Despite bouncing between the halls of Congress several times, the Honoring Our PACT Act finally passed on Aug. 2.
“The positive impact that this legislation will have on the lives of current and future veterans can not be overstated,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “Today’s Senate passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act is proof that Congress can still come together to get big things done for those who have sacrificed so much in support of our country. I commend the Members of Congress who put politics aside to act in the best interest of our nation’s veterans. IAVA will continue to work with members of both parties to identify and address the many challenges facing service members when they return home.”
The American Legion had mobilized its members to urge the Senate to stay in Washington in late July until the bill was on its way to the president’s desk to sign.
“Tonight, the US Senate passed historic legislation that will make a difference in the lives of millions of veterans,” said American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard. “After some unusual delays for a bill that is largely identical to what passed on June 16, a bipartisan majority of senators voted in favor of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. This act will save lives and offer health care and benefits for those exposed to the poisons of war while serving our country.”
To learn more about what the PACT Act means to you, visit the VA’s website at va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits.