Burn Pits 360 strongly opposes Senate’s Rejection of Amendment 659, Urges Lawmakers to Protect Veterans’ Benefits Under The PACT ACT.
We urge our supporters to contact their Senator and ask why they voted against Amendment 659. Click here to find your senators contact information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21st, 2025
Burn Pits 360 strongly opposes Senate’s Rejection of Amendment 659, Urges Lawmakers to Protect Veterans’ Benefits Under The PACT ACT.
Washington, D.C. – Burn Pits 360 expresses deep disappointment over the Senate’s rejection of Amendment 659, a critical measure that would have ensured full and uninterrupted funding for veterans’ healthcare and benefits under the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act. Introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal, the amendment was designed to safeguard funding for Veterans suffering from toxic exposure-related illnesses, ensuring their care would not be subject to budgetary delays or political maneuvering.
“The PACT Act was a hard-fought victory won and led by veterans, families, and advocacy groups like the FealGood Foundation and Burn Pits 360,” said Rosie Torres, Executive Director and Co Founder for Burn Pits 360. “It was meant to provide long-overdue care to sick and dying Veterans affected by toxic exposures, and this vote sends a troubling message: that even these critical benefits are not guaranteed.”
Our legislators should do everything to ensure that these critical protections are preserved. Our Veterans should not have to worry about the sacred obligation this country owes them for the service, particularly those with illnesses related to toxic exposures while on deployment.
Despite broad bipartisan support for the PACT Act when it was passed, last night’s vote raises concerns over potential vulnerabilities in its funding. The rejection of Amendment 659 puts Veterans and survivors at risk of delayed or reduced benefits and healthcare services—an unacceptable outcome for those who have already sacrificed so much.
Burn Pits 360 calls on the 52 senators who voted against the amendment to publicly clarify their stance and outline concrete steps to ensure PACT Act benefits remain fully funded. The organization also urges Veterans, caregivers, and advocates to contact their elected officials and demand accountability. We also call on Secretary Collins to clarify the Trump Administration’s position on the PACT Act and how it intends to continue implementing the law.
“This fight is far from over,” Rosie Torres added. “We will continue to hold lawmakers accountable and push for protections that ensure Veterans never have to question whether their healthcare will be there when they need it.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rosie Torres
Rosie.torres@burnpits360.org
361-816-4015
For a PDF Copy of this press release Click Here
We urge our supporters to contact their Senator and ask why they voted against Amendment 659. Click here to find your senators contact information.
