Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) released the following statement on the House passage of the Honoring our PACT Act. Garcia was one of the 34 Republicans that crossed party lines to vote in favor of the legislation, which would further pave the way for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve benefits provided to veterans suffering from disabilities related to exposure to toxic chemicals. 
 
“After witnessing the impact Agent Orange had on our Vietnam Veterans and their families, our nation vowed we would never leave them without access to the care they deserve. We must now make this same commitment to our Global War on Terror Veterans,” said Garcia. “I’m proud to support this important legislation that would provide more GWOT veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits access to VA health care.”
 
Garcia also cosponsored the bipartisan, bicameral Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act, which would also help expand the benefits provided to veterans suffering from disabilities related to toxic exposures. The bill would also improve VA’s ability to identify veterans affected by burn pit exposure so that veterans who have a service-related issue can access the assistance they deserve.
 
Garcia is a former U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot that flew over 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in the skies above Baghdad, Fallujah, and Tikrit.
 
Click here to read the full bill text of the Honoring our PACT Act. 
 
Click here to read the full bill text of the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act.