House Takes Next Step Forward in Getting Historic Toxic Exposure Legislation to President’s Desk 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took the next step in getting landmark toxic exposure legislation to President Biden's desk. After making a technical fix to the bill, the House sent the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath RobinsonHonoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, or the Honoring our PACT Act, back to the Senate for final consideration. The Senate will be the legislation's last stop before it reaches President Biden's desk. The bill includes key provisions authored by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to establish a presumption of service connection between veterans' military service and 23 diseases and rare cancers.

"The House passage of the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act brings us closer than ever before to getting our burn pit-exposed veterans the presumptive benefits and care they need, earned, and deserve," said Dr. Ruiz. "For years, I have led this fight on behalf of our nation's veterans, and now, we stand at the precipice of making a monumental change in their lives. I implore the Senate to pass the Honoring our PACT Act immediately. Our veterans' lives are on the line."

Prior to the vote, Dr. Ruiz took to the House floor to urge the Senate to pass the legislation. His floor speech is available here.

BACKGROUND

Since the death of his constituent, Jennifer Kepner – an Air Force medic from Cathedral City, CA who developed pancreatic cancer as a result of her service in Iraq – Dr. Ruiz has spearheaded efforts to get burn pit-exposed veterans the care they need.

Last year, he joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in introducing the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act. The legislation establishes 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.

Included in the Honoring our PACT Act, thePresumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act is the foundation of the comprehensive toxic exposure package. 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.