Brown will be joined by Susan Zeier, the mother-in-law of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson. The legislation is named after Robinson, a central Ohio veteran who passed away in 2020 at age 39 from lung cancer after exposure to burn pits during a one-year deployment in Iraq in 2006. He will also be joined by veteran advocates from around the region.

Members of Congress are prohibited from using official resources to promote commercial endeavors. Cartwright can be seen in the video wearing his official Congressional lapel pin.

Cartwright praised law firm Parker Waichman and its partner Jerry Parker in July TV ads that have since been pulled by the firm, Axios reported Thursday. Cartwright’s appearance in the ads may violate ethics rules because he gave his “endorsement” of Parker and used House resources to “support” the firm, watchdog Functional Government Initiative (FGI) wrote in a complaint Monday to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE).

The PACT Act is the result of years of effort by Brown, veterans, and advocates to ensure that veterans who were exposed to dangerous chemicals could get disability compensation and health treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We will really need your help communicating because we want every veteran, every single veteran to get the care they need and the benefits they deserve, the benefits they have earned, and we will not rest until they do," McDonough said.

McDonough announced VA will make all conditions outlined in the PACT Act presumptive from the date President Biden signed the bill into law on Aug. 10. The initial plan was to phase-in conditions over the next few years, but the secretary said those in need have waited too long.

On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing the PACT Act, a law that will expand healthcare and disability benefits to nearly 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. It took former Daily Show host Jon Stewart to give this issue high profile attention and shame Republicans into voting for the bill.

On Sept. 10, at 9 a.m., a meeting will be held at VFW Post 4911, 2632 Cedartown Highway, to offer details about the government’s new settlement program for those who have been affected by toxic chemicals in the water at the Marine Corps base in North Carolina.

Since November 2021, Freeman has been referred to and seen specialists in neurology, urology, nephrology, gynecology, dermatology, occupational medicine, pelvic therapy and genetic counseling, she said. A dormant, preexisting seizure disorder flared up for Freeman in the wake of the fuel contamination, and she began suffering from multiple seizures a day.

My opponent actually voted against covering service-related illnesses for our veterans because it would balloon the deficit. I’m not sure the congressman understands. We only have a country, an economy and a deficit because of our veterans. That was one of the more disgusting arguments I’ve heard,” said Amanda Waldman of the Hughesville area, which is outside the ninth district.

“This is a significant piece of legislation, probably one of the most significant veterans’ benefits legislation that has passed in the last 20 years,” Peters said. “I certainly encourage veterans if they are dealing with health issues, they should reach out to the VA to see if they are eligible for benefits.”

The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

Representatives from the Veterans Benefit Administration Cleveland Public Contact Team will also be on hand to update veterans on VA claims processes, backlogs and other initiatives, like the new valet parking services at the Cincinnati VA Hospital. Farmer said this portion of the session will allow veterans to go one-on-one with the VA and get answers about their individual issues.

The PACT Act is long overdue for many generations of veterans. As a Gulf War Veteran, I know many veterans were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. It didn’t start or end with us, and we know many more veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post 9/11 eras continue to suffer because of these toxic exposures.

"I’m proud that we’ve taken concrete steps in Congress to improve care for our veterans with the passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act and I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to build on this progress," Kuster said.

"It really basically switches the burden from being on the veteran to prove something is related to service, to a presumption that it is related," said Lane County Veterans Program Supervisor, Joseph Reiley.

The VFW’s site notes that the VA is reviewing the comprehensive legislation and will likely publish regulations in the coming months. The Veterans Administration has said in a statement that it will not penalize anyone, cut services or deny pending disability claims for filing a lawsuit.

Of the claims reviewed, the Inspector General found that 21,000 claims were processed incorrectly. One of the two main errors was that the Veterans Benefits Administration prematurely denied 17,200 claims. Required letters requesting veterans to provide evidence of their documented exposure were never sent, the report said.

“The hypocrisy is so galling, but then you get to the place where I’m at right now where it’s: How do you shame the shameless?” he thought aloud, detailing some of the veterans he’s worked with who are in need of the extended benefits the PACT Act provides.

The PACT Act, authored by Takano and signed by Biden on Aug. 10, expands Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, according to the VA. It adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures, as well as presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation. Presumptive conditions mean the veteran does not have to prove their service caused the condition; they only need to meet the service requirements.