Americans face a pivotal choice at the ballot box that will shape the future of our nation’s veterans.
Vice President Kamala Harris has recently thrown her support behind the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at providing medical care and disability benefits to service members exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during their military service. This move highlights her commitment to the health and well-being of those who have sacrificed for our country.
PFAS are a group of chemicals used in a variety of products, including firefighting foams and water-repellent clothing. Over the past 50 years, these substances have been widely used on military bases, leading to groundwater contamination at approximately 700 installations worldwide. The exposure has been linked to serious health issues such as testicular cancer, thyroid disease, kidney cancer, high cholesterol and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
The legislation backed by Harris seeks to cut through the red tape, ensuring that veterans suffering from PFAS-related conditions receive the care they need without undue delay. By designating PFAS exposure as a service-connected injury, the bill would make affected veterans eligible for health care services and benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Family members stationed at contaminated bases could also qualify for medical care under certain conditions.
This initiative builds on the momentum of the Biden-Harris administration’s Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act), signed two years ago. It expanded benefits for veterans, their caregivers and their survivors affected by burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures. Harris’s advocacy reflects a broader commitment to addressing the long-overlooked health challenges faced by our service members.
Trump campaign silent on issue
In contrast, Donald Trump makes assertions about standing with veterans, but an unscientific review of his candidacy shows he has not publicly addressed the PFAS issue as it relates to veterans. And if he has, it has fallen by the wayside and is not taken seriously by advocates for veteran health. That’s because Project 2025, the policy playbook that is helping shape a second Trump administration, proposes gutting rules designed to contain PFAS contamination. At a time when decisive leadership is needed to support our veterans, his silence is noteworthy, and the likelihood is he would make the problem worse.
The stakes are high. Hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families are potentially affected by PFAS exposure. They deserve leaders who not only acknowledge their struggles but also actively work to provide solutions. Harris’s support for the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act signals a clear intention to stand with those who have stood on the front lines for us.
Since her time as California attorney general, Vice President Harris has fought to get veterans the benefits they deserve. She and President Biden enacted the most significant expansion of benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and their survivors in more than 30 years. Their administration has already delivered benefits to more than 1 million veterans and survivors. She honors the sacred obligation to our veterans, unlike Trump, who has called those who gave their life in service of our country “losers” and “suckers” while seeking to slash veterans’ benefits.
As voters, it’s imperative to consider which candidate is prepared to tackle the pressing issues facing our veterans. The contrast is clear: one candidate is seeking to address a critical health crisis among our military personnel, while the other looks down on those who were disabled on the battlefield.
On Nov. 5, let’s honor our commitment to those who have served by electing leaders who prioritize their health and well-being. Our veterans have fought for us; it’s time we ensure they receive the care and support they’ve earned.
