Rep. Roy requests VA brief staffers on the PACT Act
WASHINGTON—On Thursday, Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) and 44 of his House Republican colleagues requested the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide a staff-level briefing on the PACT Act’s implementation and how it will affect standard casework processes.
The PACT Act expands VA healthcare and benefits to an estimated 3.5 million veterans. President Biden signed it into law on August 10, 2022.
“This law will undoubtably impact current operations at the VA, and it is of the upmost importance that this new law does not interfere with the VA’s ability to provide timely care and benefits that veterans deserve,” Rep. Roy and his colleagues wrote in their letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
They asked for the VA to give their offices – particularly district-based constituent services staffers – the opportunity to hear directly from the VA and ensure they can successfully prepare to assist our nation’s heroes.
"Regardless of whatever previously stated reservations many Members of Congress have had about the bill's details, our offices stand ready to assist impacted veterans in our districts as they navigate its consequential changes to the VA and their overall care," their letter concludes.
Full text of the letter can be found below and at the link here.
Dear Secretary McDonough,
As you well know, President Biden recently signed into law S.3373, The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. This new law expands the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare and benefits to an estimated 3.5 million post 9/11 toxic-exposed veterans and thousands of veterans who served in the Vietnam war. This law will undoubtably impact current operations at the VA, and it is of the upmost importance that this new law does not interfere with the VA’s ability to provide timely care and benefits that veterans deserve.
Regardless of whatever previously stated reservations many Members of Congress have had about the bill's details, our offices stand ready to assist impacted veterans in our districts as they navigate its consequential changes to the VA and their overall care. Pursuant to this goal, we request the VA schedule a staff-level virtual briefing in the coming weeks on the PACT Act’s implementation and any ramifications it may have on standard casework processes.
To ensure we are successfully prepared to assist our nation’s heroes as the VA works to implement the PACT Act, it is imperative that the VA give our congressional offices – particularly our district-based constituent services staffers – the opportunity to hear directly from the VA and get answers to any outstanding questions our offices may have. This first step in ensuring our offices provide proper information to constituents is essential to effectively serving not just toxic-exposed veterans, but all veterans receiving care and benefits from the VA.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Chip Roy
Member of Congress
Mike Bost
Ranking Member
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Dan Crenshaw
Member of Congress
Elise Stefanik
Member of Congress
Aumua Amata C. Radewagen
Member of Congress
Jack Bergman
Member of Congress
Jim Banks
Member of Congress
Nancy Mace
Member of Congress
Madison Cawthorn
Member of Congress
Troy E. Nehls
Member of Congress
Matthew M. Rosendale Sr.
Member of Congress
Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.
Member of Congress
Jake Ellzey
Member of Congress
Connie Conway
Member of Congress
Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Member of Congress
Ann Wagner
Member of Congress
David Rouzer
Member of Congress
Mike Kelly
Member of Congress
Randy K. Weber
Member of Congress
Van Taylor
Member of Congress
Louie Gohmert
Member of Congress
Beth Van Duyne
Member of Congress
Brian Mast
Member of Congress
Greg Murphy
Member of Congress
Doug LaMalfa
Member of Congress
Troy Balderson
Member of Congress
Bruce Wasterman
Member of Congress
Michael Guest
Member of Congress
Andy Biggs
Member of Congress
Peter Meijer
Member of Congress
Bob Good
Member of Congress
Mary E. Miller
Member of Congress
Ted Budd
Member of Congress
Roger Williams
Member of Congress
David G. Valadao
Member of Congress
Tim Burchett
Member of Congress
Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Member of Congress
Kat Cammack
Member of Congress
Dan Newhouse
Member of Congress
Clay Higgins
Member of Congress
Debbie Lesko
Member of Congress
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.
Member of Congress
Michael Cloud
Member of Congress
Cliff Bentz
Member of Congress
Glenn Grothman
Member of Congress
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