WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), members of Congress, other veterans service organizations, and veteran advocates celebrated a legislative victory as the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the Honoring Our PACT Act, passed in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 84 to 14.
“This is an enormous victory for veterans, service members, and their families,” said VFW National Commander Matthew “Fritz” Mihelcic, commander-in-chief of the 1.5 million-member VFW and its Auxiliary. “I commend every senator who voted in favor for those who have borne the burden of toxic exposure, for the military families struggling to care them, and for the military men and women who will face toxic exposure in the future.”
The landmark toxic exposure bill will now head back to the U.S. House of Representatives for a re-vote before it gets to the White House for President Biden’s signature.
“This was more than a vote for expanded health care and benefits,” said Mihelcic. “This was about honoring our promise to care for those who swore an oath to defend our nation and our way of life.”