Honor Our PACT: Bill To Acknowledge Toxic Exposure for Veterans Passes With Hoosier Support
WASHINGTON–The Honor Our PACT Act is one step closer to becoming law, having passed the U.S. House Wednesday on a bi-partisan vote of 342-88. The bill passed the Senate in June. It means that three and a half million veterans who served in areas where they may have been exposed to toxic substances will be eligible for health care for problems caused by that exposure.
Indiana’s Rep. Frank Mrvan, who represents the northwestern part of the state in DC, was a supporter of the bill, speaking to encourage his colleagues to pass it Wednesday.
“The veterans living with toxic exposures must not be denied the care and benefits they have earned,” he said. Mrvan serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
The bill means the military and the U.S. government will essentially concede that military personnel serving in certain areas were exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits, contamination of water at military bases, airborne hazard, and radiation from atomic testing.
The costs for health care will include 23 illnesses and cancers known to have been caused by that exposure, and will be assumed by the government as a cost of war.
“We have a responsibility to support all veterans when they return home from protecting our freedoms and defending our democracy,” said Mrvan. “It is not enough to simply say thank you for your service, to our veterans. It is through our actions that provide proof we have our veterans’ back and value their service.”
If it becomes law, the PACT also means that the proof of illness is no longer on the backs of the veterans who may have been exposed.
Both Indiana Democrats Mrvand and Andre Carson voted in favor of the Act. Most Republicans did as well, with representatives Greg Pence and Trey Hollingsworth voting against it.
