Working for Veterans' Benefits

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, ``Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.'' These words spoken by President Harry Truman still ring true to this day.

Millions of servicemembers and veterans have answered the call to serve and protect the freedoms that we hold dear. Just as our Nation's servicemembers make a promise to leave no one behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind when they come home.

The PACT Act honors this promise. It is the largest expansion of VA benefits in a generation and ensures that millions of veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxins during their military service receive the care that they have earned and deserve.

The PACT Act is one of the greatest accomplishments of the Biden- Harris administration, and it was made possible by the leadership of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Mark Takano, among many others.

In Rhode Island, more than 3,200 veterans have already received PACT Act benefits with another 4,000 projected to be added to the program in the coming years. Over 1 million veterans and their families have received PACT Act benefits nationally.

I have been working very closely with my Rhode Island Second Congressional District military and veterans advisory committee to spread the word about the PACT Act and how veterans in our district can access those benefits.

However, there is still more work to be done. All too often, benefits claims sharks exploit veterans and their families with exorbitant fees. We must do more to protect veterans and their families from these predatory practices.

We must also ensure that veterans and their family members who were exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals on military bases and elsewhere receive the healthcare that they need, and I have cosponsored legislation to make that a reality.

We must always fight to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve because they deserve nothing but the very best.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source