IFPTE Requests House Pass the Honoring Our PACT Act and Send Veterans Health Toxic Exposure Legislation to President's Desk

As the House of Representatives puts the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022” (Honoring Our PACT Act) to a final vote, IFPTE requested Representatives pass the bill in order to “correct a grave and ongoing error by providing overdue and necessary healthcare – including mental health services – and disability benefits to as many as 3.5 million veterans with service-connected exposure to toxins, burn pits, and other hazardous material.”

IFPTE’s letter asks Representatives to pass the legislation as amended and passed by the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support from 84 Senators. The House had previously passed the bill in early March by a vote of 256 to 174. A bipartisan Senate negotiation resulted in an amended bill that reduces the cost of the bill by $43 billion by shifting implementation of provisions further out. While some Senators had offered amendments that would attack unions at the Veterans Administration and increase privatization of veterans health services, union opposition was able to keep those weakening amendments out of Honoring Our PACT Act.

As stated in IFPTE’s letter, the legislation “establishes a 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 benefits for affected veterans, requires the 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.” 

Once the House passes the Honoring Our PACT Act, the bill will be sent to President Biden and is expected to be signed into law by the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

Read IFPTE’s letter the House urging passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act, Senate Amendment to H.R. 3967, here.