IAVA Joins Military and Veteran Leaders to Call on the US Senate to Pass Comprehensive Burn Pits Legislation
More than 60 VSOs call on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to establish VA care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans
Washington DC – On April 14, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and 64 other organizations representing America’s veterans, service members, and their families, sent a joint letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The letter calls on the Senate to expeditiously pass the bipartisan Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act which passed the House on March 3 with a bipartisan vote of 256 – 174.
The bill will provide overdue VA disability and healthcare benefits to thousands of veterans suffering from military toxic exposures, such as from burn pits. It will also establish a new process to determine future presumptive health conditions.
According to IAVA’s latest membership survey, over 80% of IAVA members were exposed to burn pits during their deployments. A shocking 90% of those exposed believe they already have or may have symptoms related to burn pit exposure.
“More than 60 VSOs have come together to urge the Senate to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act to finally deliver on America’s obligation to address a major signature military injury from our last 20 years of war,” said Tom Porter, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs for IAVA. “The Honoring Our PACT Act was developed by veterans organizations for veterans over the last several years, and we’re calling on Congress to pass it into law without further delay.”
IAVA and other veterans, military, and family organizations have spent years educating Congress, national leaders, and the public, on the enormous scope of the injuries faced by the veteran community. The Honoring Our PACT Act finally takes a giant step toward honoring America’s obligation to care for those who have suffered injuries in America’s longest war.
IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.
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