| From Vietnam to Afghanistan, many of our service members were exposed to carcinogens and hazardous chemicals from burn pits while on active duty that have resulted in illness and chronic disease. The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act or the PACT Act would provide essential health care and expand disability benefits to toxin-exposed veterans.
I was very disappointed to see the PACT Act derailed last week by Republican Congressmen led by a Pennsylvania Senator, denying our veterans the care they need. However, in a second bipartisan vote on Tuesday night, the Act was approved 86-11 and will be sent to the President's desk for signature.
This is truly a big win for our veterans, who will see expanded health care coverage include the addition of some 20 new presumptive conditions for toxic exposure. This means that veterans with a diagnosis of a condition now expressed in the law no longer must prove that it was caused from their service.
If you are a veteran and unsure if you qualify for these new benefits you can check out the VA's page on the PACT Act.
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| Voting Rights Act Anniversary
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| This Saturday will mark the 57th anniversary of the historic Voting Rights Act, which secured the right to vote for Black Americans – a right that should have been guaranteed under the 15th Amendment. While this act was a decisive victory for voting rights, it has since lost its strength. The 2013 SCOTUS case Shelby County v. Holder saw the VRA gutted, allowing states to disenfranchise their voters year after year.
With every passing election we watch as state legislatures tighten their grip and create unreasonable and unnecessary roadblocks to the ballot box, silencing the will of the people. And now with less than 100 days until the midterm elections, the fight for the right to vote is more important than ever.
Congress has the power to fix the VRA and secure the right to vote with the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (HR 5746). As a Pennsylvania legislator, I am committed to protecting the right to vote here in the Commonwealth to ensure the will of the people stays the will of the people.
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| Ayman Al-Zawahiri was responsible for and linked to many acts of terror across the world, including the planning of 9/11. I'm grateful to our national security officials and the leadership of President Biden for eliminating continued terror threats and those responsible for them.
U.S. commitment to counterterrorism ensures the peace and safety of every American and servicemember stationed around the world.
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| Please continue to stay safe, healthy and well-informed.
And, if you have questions about any state-related issue, please contact my office at 484-200-8263 or email [email protected].
Sincerely,
Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District
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