Maloney Applauds Passage of the Honoring our PACT Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) applauded the passage of S. 3373, the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, in the House with a bipartisan vote of 342-88. This legislation will finally recognize military toxic exposure--from contaminated water at military bases, airborne hazards from burn pits, or radiation from atomic testing--as a cost of war and provide healthcare for potentially as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxins.

"As a daughter, sister and wife of veterans, caring for our veterans is extremely important to me, as it should be to every American," said Rep. Maloney. "The Honoring Our Pact Act will help over 3 million veterans suffering and ensure that they can get the care that they need. The PACT Act shared many similarities with my 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which supports the 9/11 first responders who were exposed to dangerous toxins that made them sick, still to this day. Our veterans were there for us -- the PACT Act will make sure we can be there for them."

The full bill text can be found here.

Background:

The Honoring our PACT Act is a comprehensive legislative package that will open-up healthcare to over 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service and finally concede exposure to burn pits and airborne hazards based on locations and dates of service. It will create presumptions for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, shifting the burden of proof off our veterans. This means that if a veteran served in a particular theatre at a particular time, they will be presumed to be exposed to toxic substances and therefore potentially eligible for healthcare and benefits. Critically, this bipartisan legislation will also streamline VA's presumption decision making process, so that Congress does not have to keep intervening, and our veterans don't have to wait decades for help.

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