Dear Friends,

Last week, the Senate finally passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, more commonly known as the PACT Act. This legislation expands access to healthcare and disability benefits for the millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their time in service. I, for one, consider this a straightforward vote to provide necessary support for those who risked their lives for this country.

But the week before, Senate Republicans voted against the legislation, delaying its passage. Here’s what happened:

On June 16th, the PACT Act passed the Senate with a vote of 84-14. Because of one administrative change that had no substantive effect on the legislation, the Senate had to vote on the bill again on June 27th. Since there has been so much misinformation on this point I want to be clear - the change made by the House of Representatives struck a single line that dealt with medical personnel who were moving to rural areas to provide medical care for the VA. All of the talk of the House inserting $400 billion dollars in extraneous spending is completely false.

Hours before the vote in the Senate, Senators Schumer and Manchin announced a comprehensive plan to lower drug prices, fight climate change, and close tax loopholes so that major corporations are finally made to pay their fair share. This announcement upset conservatives who immediately targeted the PACT Act.

25 Republican Senators, who voted yes on a bill that was substantively identical just months ago, changed their votes.

Last Tuesday, finally, the PACT Act made it through Congress, with all 25 of those Republican Senators changing their votes from no to yes. The good news is that tomorrow President Biden will sign the bill into law.

I’m not here to speculate on intent or reasoning. But I want to make sure that you know the facts. I also want to reassure you that we will not be stopped by political games when it comes to delivering for the American people.

Sincerely,

Jim