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AMSTERDAM, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko celebrated the passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act in the Senate last night that expands access to care for veterans exposed to toxic substances in the line of duty. Tonko’s statement is below:

“Last night’s vote will have a life-changing impact on the brave veterans who fought for us and whose health continues to be gravely impacted by toxic exposure. I was deeply disturbed by the callous move by Senate Republicans in past weeks to block this critical legislation, but am pleased that the Senate has advanced our Honoring our PACT Act that the House passed in bipartisan fashion last month. I am especially proud that this bill includes provisions from my Fort McClellan Health Registry Act that recognize and seek to address the lasting health impacts related to service at that base, something veterans in my district and beyond have been demanding for decades.

“With this critical legislation, we are doing right by those Americans who have so bravely served our country.”

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