Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Riley have introduced the VET PFAS Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at supporting veterans exposed to toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military installations. The legislation seeks to ensure that affected veterans and their families receive necessary health care and disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The proposed act will designate PFAS exposure as a service-connected condition for veterans, require the VA to provide health care and benefits for medical conditions linked to PFAS exposure, and ensure that military families have access to needed care and support.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms. We must honor that sacrifice with concrete action to support them once they’ve come home,” stated Congressman Lawler, who is part of the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. He emphasized that many veterans were unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals at military facilities.
Congressman Riley highlighted the situation in Upstate New York’s 19th District, noting that “we owe them more than just our thanks; we owe them the care they need.” He stressed the importance of providing healthcare and benefits without further delay.
Research has associated PFAS exposure with serious health risks such as cancer, liver and kidney disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, thyroid disorders, among other chronic conditions. With over 700 military bases globally documenting PFAS contamination, veterans and their families are disproportionately affected.
Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District north of New York City. He was recognized as one of the most effective freshman lawmakers in the 118th Congress.
