In a major win for this nation’s veterans, the U.S. Senate has passed The Pact Act, also known as the “Burn Pit” Bill.
This would provide 180-Billion dollars in the next four years to help veterans who have developed cancer and other illnesses after the exposure to fumes from burn pits. The pits were used in Iraq and Afghanistan to get rid of waste and included everything from human feces to old tires.
The bill was held up by a disagreement over the funding aspect. The bill will now goes to the House for it’s approval and then it’s on to President Biden, who is expected to sign it. This is one of the few pieces of legislation that has enjoyed bipartisan support.
It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of veterans burn pit claims had been rejected by the Veteran’s Administration. If passed, this bill would allow those claims to be paid. It also expands coverage for Agent Orange victims from the Vietnam era.
