Dear Friends,

In observance of Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of the loved ones they left behind, represents a debt that we as a nation can never fully repay. It is incumbent on us to honor the legacy of our fallen servicemembers by fulfilling our oath to provide for their families and redoubling our efforts to care for all veterans.

I’m proud to have helped pass the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act last Congress, which President Biden then signed into law. This legislation expanded benefit eligibility to nearly 3.5 million veterans, extended the enrollment period for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and authorized new VA medical and research centers, among other crucial provisions for veterans and their families.

Last week, President Biden announced that one million claims had been granted under the PACT Act—that means that one million veterans can now access the care they deserve. This is a remarkable milestone, and I am grateful that we are making good on our obligation to the men and women in uniform who risked life and limb in the service of this country.

Connecticut’s Fourth District is proudly home to over 17,000 veterans. If you are a veteran or a survivor, please check your benefit eligibility here. If you were denied a claim for a condition now made presumptive by the PACT Act, you can file a supplemental claim here. 

For more information on filing claims with the VA, or to access resources available to guide you through the process, please see here. For more information about the PACT Act, see the Veterans’ Affairs resource page or call 1-800-MyVA411.

As always, my team is standing by to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact my Bridgeport office at 203-333-6600 if you need assistance navigating the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or have questions related to the expanded benefits offered through the PACT Act. If you’re not already subscribed to my newsletter, please sign up for updates here.

Sincerely,

Jim