Amata Welcomes PACT Act for Veterans
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed final Senate passage of the PACT Act, sending it to President Biden to be signed into law, as it was passed in mid-July by the U.S. House of Representatives. PACT stands for Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, and the official full title is the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act.
“Congratulations to the nation’s Veterans as this longstanding priority gets over the finish line,” said Aumua Amata. “Thank you to the many who worked for this outcome for a long time. The key policy efforts of this Act had true widespread support throughout Congress, and finally all the details have been finalized, allowing the VA to begin getting these Veterans the services they are owed.”
Congresswoman Amata seated beside Veterans’ Committee Ranking Member Mike Bost (file photo).
The Act expands health care and disability benefits, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, mental health services and counseling options to Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service, including burn pits and other dangerous substances. A new Formal Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure will assist in establishing presumptions of service-connection.
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