Chairman Takano: “We need to pass the Honoring our PACT Act now”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif) released the following statement after the Committee’s roundtable on “The True Cost of our Promise to Toxic-Exposed Veterans.” Eleven Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and advocates Jon Stewart and John Feal joined the Committee for a productive discussion about the way forward on the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act, which passed out of the Committee last summer and has 70 cosponsors.

"Twelve days ago, I put out a call encouraging toxic-exposed veterans to share their experiences with the Committee. As of this afternoon, we have heard from over 600 veterans in 48 states. From their stories and conversations with advocates at our roundtable today, it is abundantly clear to me that we need to pass the Honoring our PACT Act now. I’m grateful for the thoughtful suggestions from our VSO and veteran advocates for how we can further improve our bill to cover all toxic-exposed veterans.

“The CBO estimate is in— we now know the true cost of our promise. I was eager to hear what my colleagues across the aisle would like to change that would still uphold this sacred pact, but frankly, shirking our responsibility because Congress is worried about the perceived sticker shock is not an excuse. Thanking servicemembers and veterans for their service may feel good to say, but we must also be willing to back up our words with action.

“The Honoring our PACT Act is definitive, it is bold, and it is the action our veterans deserve. With each passing day, more veterans will get sick—it’s time for us to hold up our end of the deal and urgently pass this bill.”

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