WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) – today released the following statement regarding his commitment to passing legislation to provide health care to veterans suffering from toxic exposures:

“I spoke with VFW leaders in Kansas and nationwide to express my goal of passing comprehensive toxic exposure legislation. When our men and women are injured or become ill because of their military service, it is our responsibility to see they receive the health care and benefits they deserve. Our servicemembers are willing to sacrifice for our country, and we must match that level of commitment by delivering the best care, treatment and benefits for those who served our country.

"Sen. Tester and I recently passed the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act and are working together to amend the PACT Act. As stated by VA Secretary Denis McDonough and members of the Senate VA Committee, the PACT Act needs work before being brought to the full Senate for a vote. We are working on this legislation to ensure it provides health care and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans, continues operations of the VA without disruptions and creates a lasting framework for VA to make decisions driven by scientific evidence.”

Timeline of Sen. Moran’s work for toxic-exposed veterans:

March 29, 2022: Senate VA Committee holds a hearing on toxic exposure legislation.

February 17, 2022: Sen. Moran calls on President Biden to unite Congress around the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act to deliver on our nation's promise to veterans.

February 16, 2022: The U.S. Senate unanimously passes the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act.

February 2, 2022: The Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act unanimously passes the Senate VA Committee and is sent to the full Senate for consideration.

February 1, 2022: Sens. Moran and Tester introduce the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act — landmark bipartisan legislation that would expand VA health care for Post-9/11 combat veterans.

March 23, 2021: Sen. Moran cosponsored the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act, bipartisan legislation that fundamentally reforms and improves how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

March 2021: Sens. Moran and Tester called on the VA to expedite Vietnam veterans’ Blue Water Navy Claims to provide long-overdue benefits and care to veterans from Agent Orange exposure.

March 10, 2021: Sen. Moran participated in a hearing on military toxic exposures focused on the human costs incurred from hazards such as Agent Orange and burn pits.

February 26, 2021:  Sens. Moran and Tester led a letter to VA calling on them to expedite a decision for Vietnam veterans suffering from Hypertension—a condition scientifically shown to have an association with exposure to Agent Orange.

February 2021: Sen. Moran called on the VA secretary to work with Congress, the CDC, and the DoD to find solutions for Karshi-Khanabad Airbase (K2) in Uzbekistan veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service at Camp Stronghold Freedom.

September 23, 2020: Senator Moran chaired an SVAC business meeting to unanimously pass the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act out of committee.

June 17, 2020: Sens. Moran, Tester and Tillis hosted a roundtable discussion with the VA, Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control and several veteran service organizations regarding care for veterans exposed to toxic substances.

December 2016: Sen. Moran’s Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016 was passed and signed into law as part of a bipartisan veterans’ package. The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016 invested in research on toxic exposure and the potential connection of toxic exposure to heath conditions affecting descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.

April 16, 2016: Sen. Moran attended a town hall meeting in Kansas City on the effect of toxic exposure, Agent Orange and Hepatitis on veterans. 

April 15, 2016:  Sen. Moran introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to require the VA to conduct a study and assessment on the current research available regarding the health conditions related to exposure to toxic substances.

September 29, 2015: Sen. Moran participated in an SVAC hearing on the impact of exposures to toxic chemicals on veterans and the VA’s response.

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