Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today applauded Senate passage of major bipartisan legislation to expand health care and benefits to more than 3.5 million veterans across the country who were exposed to toxins while serving in the military. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act, was blocked last week by Senate Republicans who decided to hold up the bill despite 34 of them initially voting to support the bill back in June. When a deal on budget reconciliation was announced last week, Republicans chose to jeopardize the health of millions of veterans by voting down the bill after it came back from the House with a technical fix. Due to overwhelming public pressure, the PACT Act finally passed today by a margin of 86 to 11.
“Last week, Senate Republicans showed the entire country where they truly stand when it comes to caring for our veterans and their families. We had to vote on this bill twice because, for some reason, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle decided to use our brothers and sisters who served in uniform as bargaining chips for their political agenda. Their failed gambit was exposed when we literally saw them fist bump after voting down this bill, denying care for millions of veterans across the nation,” said Sen. Menendez. “So let it be clear, this bill only got done because Democrats had to pressure Republicans into supporting it. I don’t ever want to hear their claims about being the party of veterans. Today, thanks to the tireless effort of veterans and their families, advocates and veteran service organizations, the Senate lived up to its responsibility and secured benefits for those who have been exposed to toxic substances. It should never have taken this long, but now that we’re here, I’m glad we’re sending the PACT Act to President Biden’s desk for his signature.”
The bill, which addresses illnesses from exposure to toxic burn pits and expands presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure, also includes Senator Menendez’ bill, the Improving Benefits for Gulf War Veterans Act, which will expand access to essential benefits for veterans who served in the Gulf War and other wars in the region.
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