Larson, Blumenthal, Courtney and Bysiewicz: Veterans Will Get the Support They Need from their Government
Hartford, CT – Today, U.S. Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-02), Senator Richard Blumenthal and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz visited the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill to discuss new benefits available to toxic-exposed veterans through the recently passed Honoring our PACT Act of 2022.
“Alongside the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation, I supported the PACT Act because it ensures our veterans have access to the benefits they earned and delivers on President Biden’s promise that toxic-exposed veterans will get the support they need from their government,” said Larson.
“This legislation is a historic accomplishment, and we can build on this progress for our veterans by passing Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust when Congress returns in the fall,” Larson continued. “More than nine million veterans and their families rely on the retirement, disability, and survivor payments that Social Security provides. Social Security 2100 will support our veterans by eliminating the dangerous five-month waiting period for disability benefits and lifting benefits for all beneficiaries above the federal poverty line.”
“I am proud and happy beyond words that the PACT Act has finally passed Congress following years of hard work by myself and colleagues on the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee. After needless and shameful delay, the tireless advocacy of our veterans, made this victory possible. This bill is a victory for veterans who served and sacrificed abroad and now suffer from insidious, horrific diseases caused by exposure to burn pits and toxic chemicals. This momentous bipartisan measure will bring well-deserved relief to our veterans and their families affected by toxic exposure. I’m proud to have focused for years on this legislation and that it includes provisions I fought for to ensure the fairest, broadest possible coverage. Now that President Biden has signed this vital legislation into law, we must focus on delivering this critical care to our veterans as soon as possible,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.
“The PACT Act represents an effort by veterans of multiple generations to not repeat the mistakes that were made at the VA over Agent Orange, which blocked Vietnam veterans from getting the help they needed for decades. Extending the ‘presumptive eligibility’ rule to twenty-three new conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that our country has learned its lesson from Agent Orange,” said Rep. Courtney. “The PACT Act also opens eligibility up to Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, and elsewhere—we have outstanding cases in my office right now from eastern Connecticut veterans who will immediately qualify for care now because of these specific provisions. Congratulations to all of our Veterans Service Organizations and to our local vets and their families for their relentless effort in securing this victory once and for all.”
“Our nation’s veterans put their lives on the line to serve their country and to serve us, their fellow Americans, and the passage of the PACT Act will provide those toxic-exposed veterans with the expanded benefits they deserve,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “This is more than a ‘Thank you for your service’ statement. The passage of this Act delivers action and results along with our gratitude, truly showing our veterans how much we value their service and sacrifice. Our veterans wanted action, and the Connecticut Congressional delegation delivered.”
"The PACT Act is the largest expansion of Veteran benefit eligibility in nearly three decades, finally recognizing the harmful impacts of burn pits and other toxins to our service members and Veterans. It includes dozens of new presumptive conditions related to burn pits and expands presumptive conditions for exposure to agent orange and to radioactive materials. Passage of the Act was due in large part to years of advocacy by Veteran Service Organizations, victim Veterans and Family members who refused to give up the fight for proper recognition of the harmful impact of military service on many Veterans," said Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi, a U.S. Army Veteran himself.
“The importance of the PACT Act in helping take care of our veterans cannot be overstated and I thank Congressman Larson for his leadership,” said State Representative Gary Turco. “The PACT Act provides millions of veterans, including many in Newington and throughout Connecticut, with the treatments and care they can count on for chronic illness from exposure to burn pits while selflessly defending and serving our country.”
“I’m grateful to our federal delegation for leading the charge on promoting one of the largest expansions of health care and benefits for our country’s Veterans through the PACT Act. This new law will directly impact hundreds of Veterans in my district,” said State Representative Kerry Wood.
Signed into law by President Biden on August 10th, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022:
expands VA health care eligibility for Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans,
adds 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to the VA’s list of service-connected presumptive illnesses,
strengthens coverage for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure,
and creates a streamlined process to establish future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure.