I, along with the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation, were proud to support the PACT Act. This critical legislation ensures our veterans have access to the benefits they earned and delivers on President Biden and Congress’ promise to toxic-exposed veterans. The PACT Act is the largest expansion of veterans’ benefits in decades. Yesterday in Rocky Hill, I hosted a discussion with local veterans’ groups and state leaders to celebrate this bill becoming law.

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Paul Barry, State Rep. Kerry Wood, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Rep. Gary Turco, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Joe Courtney, American Legion Connecticut Department Service Officer K. Robert Lewis, Rep. Larson, and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin 

Signed into law by President Biden on August 10th, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022:  

• expands VA health care eligibility for Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans,  
  
• adds 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to the VA’s list of service-connected presumptive illnesses,  
  
• strengthens coverage for illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure,  
  
• and creates a streamlined process to establish future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure. 
  

This legislation is a historic accomplishment, and we can build on this progress for our veterans by passing my legislation, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, when Congress returns in the fall. More than nine million veterans and their families rely on the retirement, disability, and survivor payments that Social Security provides. Social Security 2100 will support our veterans by eliminating the dangerous five-month waiting period for disability benefits and lifting benefits for all beneficiaries above the federal poverty line.

If you, your spouse, or someone you know may be impacted by this new law but are unsure how to access benefits, please reach out to my office at 860-278-8888 for assistance. Benefits may now be available that previously were not, even if you have applied and been turned down in the past.   

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.   

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress