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Service + Solidarity Spotlight: UVC Celebrates PACT Act Signing, Commits to Help Veterans Receive Support

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO, (UVC) applauded President Biden on Wednesday for signing the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, a historic law to expand health care coverage for military veterans who were exposed to toxins and burn pits during their service. After it was temporarily filibustered by a minority of anti-worker senators two weeks ago, the UVC made a nationwide appeal to its members and some 1,300 union veterans called their senators to demand that they pass the bill immediately.

This legislation has been a major priority for the UVC since it was formed in 2009. The Honoring Our PACT Act will have an enormous impact on America’s veterans by finally providing them the health care they deserve after suffering for years or decades from diseases that resulted from their exposure to toxic chemicals. The UVC said it will work in the coming months to ensure all union veterans, both active and retired, understand these benefits and how to navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive the support they have earned.

Visit VA.gov/PACT to learn more about how this new law helps veterans and their families.