The US Senate Wednesday advanced the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (HR 3967) which will help veterans injured due to exposure to toxic military burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The PACT Act plans to provide “health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.” Veterans will be eligible for treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to receive medical care, including mental health services and counseling. The services will be provided to veterans who “participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (a qualifying activity that requires a corresponding entry in an exposure tracking record system), served in specified locations on specified dates, or deployed in support of a specified contingency operation.”

Congress previously passed similar legislation in 1991 known as the Agent Orange Act which provided disability compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to “Agent Orange.” Agent Orange was was used by the US military during the Vietnam War as a tactical herbicide to clear leaves and vegetation. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange suffered from serious related illnesses and conditions.

The US Senate passed the PACT Act by a vote of 84-14. The bill now returns to the US House of Representatives for further consideration. If passed by Congress, supporters expect the PACT Act to “help millions of toxic-exposed veterans.”