Chairman Takano Statement on Senate Agreement To Advance His Historic Toxic Exposure Legislation
Press Contact
Miguel R. Salazar (202-779-1486)
Daniel Santa Cruz (202-603-1929)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran’s (R-Kans.) agreement on advancing Chairman Takano’s Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
“For too long, Congress and VA have been slow to act on toxic exposure—but I am elated that Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran have agreed to a compromise to advance my legislation that upholds our promise to toxic-exposed veterans,” said Chairman Takano. “Earlier this year, after much diligent input from toxic-exposed veterans, my colleagues, our staff, VA, and VSOs, the House passed the most comprehensive legislation to date to treat toxic exposure as a cost of war. I’m proud that both the House and Senate have now taken monumental steps forward to advance this historic legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Tester and Senator Moran on the final details to ensure this vital legislation heads to President Biden’s desk without delay. We cannot let cost or implementation hurdles get in the way of making good on our promise--toxic-exposed veterans do not have time to wait.”
Background: The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 is legislation authored by Chairman Mark Takano that will finally treat toxic exposure as a cost of war by addressing the full range of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans including access to earned benefits and healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It passed the house earlier this year with A bipartisan vote and has the strong support of 42 Veterans Service Organizations, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, the Biden-Harris Administration, and advocates Jon Stewart And John Feal.
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