The PACT Act wouldn’t undo that damage, but it could help salve lingering effects. Ensminger looked on last week as senators debated the bill, which would provide health care benefits for members of the military exposed to toxins while serving. It would also permit Marines and their families who had been exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water to sue the federal government.
“American veterans have spent decades navigating a never-ending series of obstacles to get the care they need and earned, and we are thrilled that relief is finally on the way with President Biden signing the PACT Act into law,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO for IAVA.
Veterans benefits to be expanded as PACT Act heads to President Biden's desk
"So I strongly support the burn pit legislation, I think it was important legislation that provides needed care to our veterans who have stepped forward to defend our nation," Cruz said. "If you look at burn pits that were used in active combat theaters like Iraq or Afghanistan, we're seeing a great number of veterans coming back with serious health problems as a consequence of toxins being burnt in these open burn pits."
Military Times Deputy Editor Leo Shane talked about the passage of the PACT Act, which will expand health care benefits for veterans' exposed to toxins during their military service.
I served in the Marine Corps for nearly 25 years, training thousands of new recruits. I lived for almost 12 years at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where my daughter Janey was conceived and her mother unknowingly consumed water contaminated with known carcinogens — such as trichloroethylene, or TCE, and perchloroethylene, or PCE — during her pregnancy.
WKYT Investigates first reported in March 2021 on the efforts of Brian Amburgey of Winchester, who made it his mission to help his fellow veterans who, like him, served at the base and were exposed to the toxic water. He took part in protests, held signs to raise awareness and gathered signatures for a petition for a health registry. He made several trips to Washington, D.C. with other veterans to urge lawmakers to pass legislation to help.
The PACT Act will help veterans exposed to toxins. It includes The Camp Lejeune Justice Act which extends to veterans and their families exposed to toxins on base.
The PACT Act will help veterans exposed to toxins. It includes The Camp Lejeune Justice Act which extends to veterans and their families exposed to toxins on base.
President Joe Biden is set to sign the PACT act Monday.
The PACT act is a long-awaited bill that will expand Veteran Affairs healthcare benefits for those impacted by toxic military burn pits. The bill also contains benefits for water contamination victims at Camp Lejeune.
The bipartisan bill was passed last week