Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today provided an update on the U.S. Senate Floor regarding the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. This legislation would deliver all generations of veterans suffering from toxic-exposure health care and benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“I want to speak this morning to America’s veterans and provide an update on our work to get our toxic exposure legislation across the finish line,” said Sen. Moran. “The Senate is in the midst of considering the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act. This historic and bipartisan legislation will deliver on the promise we made as a country to take care of our service men and women both when they deploy and when they come home.”
During his speech, Sen. Moran highlighted support from several Kansas veterans, including John Buckley, a retired U.S. Army Colonel from Andover, Kansas Representative Pat Proctor, a retired U.S. Army Colonel from Leavenworth, and former Deputy Commanding General of Support for Fort Riley’s First Infantry Division William Turner from Manhattan.
“This country is good at recognizing the physical wounds of war, and we are getting better at recognizing the mental wounds of war,” continued Sen. Moran. “But no longer can we ignore the wounds of war from toxic exposure—the wounds, like Agent Orange before it, that may not arrive until years later. Throughout the remaining procedural votes on the Heath Robinson Act, I urge my colleagues with remaining questions or concerns to reach out so that we can all, together, deliver on this promise to those who have borne the battle.”
Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to deliver all eras of toxic-exposed veterans their earned health care and benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the first time in the nation’s history. Among its many priorities, the package will expand health care for Post-9/11 combat veterans, create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure, expand VA’s list of service presumptions, and improve resources to support VA’s claims processing.
Bill text of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 can be found HERE.
Remarks as prepared:
“Mr. President, I want to speak this morning to America’s veterans and provide an update on our work to get our toxic exposure legislation across the finish line.
“The Senate is in the midst of considering the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act. This historic and bipartisan legislation will deliver on the promise we made as a country to take care of our service men and women both when they deploy and when they come home.
“The Heath Robinson Act will provide access to health care and benefits for millions of veterans who are sick from illnesses connected to toxic exposures.
“When we send our warfighters into harm’s way, it is with the understanding that we have their back. When they come home bearing physical, mental or invisible wounds of war, we care for those wounds. Toxic wounds should not be treated any differently.
“John Buckley, a retired U.S. Army Colonel from Andover, Kansas told me… ‘Our Soldiers were put into dangerous situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. And many who suffered from their wounds or made the ultimate sacrifice have been cared for by our nation. Unfortunately, many too have been overlooked and ignored. Especially those who are suffering injuries after having recurring and prolonged exposure to toxic fumes, burn pits and other environmental hazards.’
“Another U.S. Army Colonel from Leavenworth, Kansas, Pat Proctor, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan shared that many of the men and women he served with are facing health challenges from being exposed to toxins while deployed. He said, and I quote, ‘There is no telling how many of us will be impacted as we get older.’
“I know many of our veterans live with the lingering fear, will the toxic exposures from their service catch up with them and leave them with a debilitating disease. And if that happens, will the VA be there for them with the health care and benefits they need?
“William Turner, the former Deputy Commanding General of Support for Kansas’ own Fort Riley First Infantry Division told me… ‘Our Veterans have served in multiple locations where they have been exposed to a number of toxins that have resulted in them developing serious illnesses, and they often struggle to gain access to health care and benefits that can help alleviate some of the pain and suffering they are experiencing.’
“He went on to note… ‘It is absolutely imperative we pass this bill to guarantee expose veterans the permanent access to health care.’
“Moving legislation through Congress can be a slow and frustrating process. However, this week when the Senate began debate on our bill, I was encouraged by the resounding show of confidence – receiving 86 votes.
“We are now focused on the amendment process and will continue working as quickly as the Senate will allow to get this bill to the House and on its way to the President’s desk.
“Whether Democrat or Republican, every member in this chamber represents veterans at home, and I firmly believe that every member in this chamber cares about our veterans. Issues related to veterans often have a way of bringing us together to find consensus.
“We were able to deliver veterans choice through the MISSION Act, landmark mental health legislation through the John Scott Hannon Mental Health Improvement Act, and I believe we can do that again on this legislation to deliver care and benefits to all-generations of toxic-exposed veterans.
“This country is good at recognizing the physical wounds of war. And we are getting better at recognizing the mental wounds of war. No longer can we ignore the wounds of war from toxic exposure—the wounds, like Agent Orange before it, that may not arrive until years later.
“Throughout the remaining procedural votes on the Heath Robinson Act, I urge my colleagues with remaining questions or concerns to reach out so that we can all, together, deliver on this promise to those who have borne the battle.”
