Dr. Ruiz Condemns Failed Senate Vote on the Honoring our PACT Act: “Enough is Enough” 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the Honoring our PACT Act, comprehensive legislation that seeks to address the full gamut of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans' access to earned benefits and care. Following the Senate vote, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the below statement:

"It's a disgrace that Senate Republicans are continuing to play politics with the health care and benefits that veterans have earned, deserve, and desperately need. Their partisan games are at the expense of veterans who are sick and dying from their burn pit exposure. Enough is enough. The fight to help burn pit-exposed veterans is not over, not ever."

BACKGROUND

Dr. Ruiz authored key provisions of the bill which establish a presumption of service connection for 23 conditions, including respiratory conditions and cancers for approximately 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other airborne hazards.

The Honoring our PACT Act also includes language from the Congressman's bill, the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act, to expand eligibility for care to veterans who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.