Chairman Takano Delivers Remarks At Press Conference Urging Passage Of Honoring Our Pact Act

WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif) delivered remarks at a press conference with Speaker Pelosi, Members, advocates Jon Stewart and John Feal, and Veterans Service Organization (VSO) leaders to highlight the urgent need to pass Chairman Takano’s Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 or Honoring our PACT Act on the House floor this week.

Full video of Chairman Takano’s press conference can be found here.

Chairman Takano’s remarks as prepared:  

Good morning, I’m so glad everyone could join us today. This is the week we’ve all been waiting for—after years of diligent input from my colleagues, our staff, VA, VSOs, and toxic-exposed veterans themselves, the best version of our Honoring our PACT Act will be considered on the House floor.

Without hesitation, our veterans raised their right hand to protect and defend this nation and many are now sick as a result of that service. We made a pact with these individuals. A pact, I am afraid to say, we have not yet honored.

Tomorrow, we have an opportunity to change that and pass the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act

Our bill will address the full gamut of issues affecting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to VA care and benefits, while reforming VA’s presumptive decision-making process.

It will open up VA healthcare for more than 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and establish a presumption of service connection for over 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers.

There is no other toxic-exposure legislation in Congress like it in scope or soundness. And with the support of 42 veterans service organizations and 100 cosponsors, we have the momentum!

I want to thank President Biden for devoting so much time to veterans in the State of the Union last night. He recognizes the urgent need to pass truly comprehensive legislation.

I’ve said it many times, but when we send our servicemembers into harm’s way, we do so with a promise that we will care them when they come home—and pay for that care.

If we are to support the cost of starting and sustaining war, we MUST acknowledge the financial cost of supporting those veterans it creates when they come home.

We cannot renege on our responsibility because of sticker shock—we have a moral obligation to America’s veterans.

For all my colleagues readying for the vote tomorrow—I have a simple question: Do you support our troops and will you honor your promise to them? 

Without hesitation, I know I will honor my promise to our toxic-exposed veterans. 

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