Ranking Member Takano's Statement on PACT Act 2nd Anniversary

WASHINGTON, DC - August 10th marks the two-year anniversary of Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39)'s Honoring our PACT Act becoming law. The Honoring our PACT Act is landmark legislation that grants benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances and their survivors. Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) marked this anniversary by announcing the latest benefits granted and enrollment numbers, as well as announcing a new presumptive. Ranking Member Takano made the following statement:  

“The PACT Act has been a resounding success, with VA announcing today that not only have over 1 million veterans and their survivors received benefits, but nearly 740,000 veterans have enrolled in healthcare at VA as well. This is truly a historic milestone for veterans. The PACT Act is keeping our promises to veterans, and is changing lives every day. But the work is not done.

One of the important aspects of the PACT Act is that it continues to expand - and today VA has also announced that veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan after September 11, 2001, as well as their survivors, are now eligible. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary McDonough for their continued efforts to address the exposure of as many veterans as possible. I am also reminded, as I hope all Americans are, that we must always recognize the true cost of war and know that Congress must ensure VA can meet all of our obligations to veterans who are suffering due to toxic exposure.”

In addition, due to the increase in veterans applying and receiving their earned benefits, there has been a rise in claim sharks and other scammers targeting veterans and their families. VA and the Biden-Harris Administration are also taking action today to protect veterans, servicemembers, and their families from fraud and scams by creating a new government-wide website and call center, VSAFE and 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233). Veterans should contact VSAFE if they think they have been defrauded or scammed.

Ranking Member Takano continued, “Bad actors must be stopped, and this website will work on fraud prevention, response, and reporting-creating a one-stop shop for veterans and their families to get any assistance they might need when submitting claims. If you are a veteran or their survivor and want to learn more about the Honoring our PACT Act, visit VA.gov/PACT and apply today.“ 

### 

• Print
• Email
• Tweet