Meng Applauds Passage of Legislation to Finally Provide Veterans Harmed by Burn Pits and Other Toxic Exposure Access to Benefits

March 7, 2022
Press Release

The Honoring our PACT Act also includes the Congresswoman’s bill to help veterans who participated in the nuclear cleanup of Enewetak Atoll on the Marshall Islands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) applauded the House passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (H.R.3967), a bipartisan bill that includes the Congresswoman's Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, which she first introduced in 2017.
"For too long, we have failed to live up to our promise to our servicemembers to care for them when they come home. With the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act, which included my bill, the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, thousands of veterans will finally receive the much-needed care they deserve after being exposed to dangerous chemicals, nuclear waste, toxins and radiation," said Congresswoman Meng. "Rep. Takai knew the importance of taking care of our veterans when they return home, especially those who served our nation with honor and distinction when they participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll that exposed them to dangerous toxins and radiation. We have a moral obligation to our toxic-exposed veterans."
"The National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV) is grateful to Congresswoman Meng and other Congressional leaders in their support of Veterans though the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act. This Act is a step toward fulfilling a promise to Veterans ‘To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,'" said Keith Kiefer, National Commander of the National Association of Atomic Veterans (NAAV). "Toxic exposure(s) of Veterans like ionization radiation, burn pits, or contaminated water places an overwhelming burden on already disadvantaged Veterans to perfect Service Connected disabilities claims. Presumptive lists like Agent Orange and those toxic exposures listed in the Honoring our PACT Act helps level this burden. Veterans don't have access to classified documents and other documentation is often either lost or not made available to the Veteran. Part of the Honoring our PACT Act addresses toxic exposure of Enewetak Atoll Radiological Cleanup Project and Polomare, Spain Veterans that were exposed to ionization Radiation without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)."
"The Queens County Council VFW applauds the passing of the Honoring our PACT Act in the U.S. House of Representatives," said Ryan Graham, Legislative Committee of the Queens County Council VFW. "Assisting those that participated in nuclear cleanup and radiation exposure, as well as those exposed to burn pits during the most recent conflicts during the Global War on Terror, is not only sensible but the responsibility we hold for those that served. While taking care of those currently serving is of great importance, equally providing Veterans the VA services and compensation for service-related issues is just as important."
"I wish to express my appreciation to Congresswoman Meng, our congressional leaders and all the veteran service organizations and advocates who worked to see the Honoring our PACT Act pass in the House," said Joe Bello, Chair of the Metropolitan NYC Veterans Community Engagement Board. "I'm especially grateful for all of Congresswoman Meng's work on the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, which she has advocated on for many years. Her bill's inclusion into the Honoring our PACT Act will make sure that veterans who worked on toxic exposure cleanups on the Marshall Islands have not been forgotten; and will give them and their families the benefits and services they are so rightly entitled to. I look forward to passage of the Honoring our PACT Act in the Senate."
The Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, which was named after the late Congressman Mark Takai of Hawaii, designates veterans who participated in the nuclear cleanup of Enewetak Atoll on the Marshall Islands as "radiation-exposed veterans," thus making them eligible to receive service-connected compensation benefits already given to other service members who were involved in the cleanup of active nuclear tests. Of the 4,000 veterans who risked their lives on the radiological cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, only about ten percent are alive today. These survivors, who are now in their late 50s and 60s, have cancer and are fighting for their lives. Current law only covers servicemembers who participated in active nuclear tests, not those who participated in the cleanup. This bill writes that wrong.
The Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 additionally recognizes the full range of military toxic exposure. The bill creates presumptions for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, such that they are assumed to have been caused by toxic substances. By shifting the burden of proof off our veterans, they will have access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care related to burn pits and airborne hazards exposure. This necessary bill will provide healthcare for potentially as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits. The bill passed the House by a vote of 256-174, and now heads to the Senate.