[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 102 (Wednesday, June 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           URGING SENATE PASSAGE OF THE HONORING OUR PACT ACT

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on the Senate to 
immediately pass the Honoring our PACT Act.
  In 2017, I met a veteran from Cathedral City, Jennifer Kepner, who 
developed pancreatic cancer due to her exposure to burn pits during her 
service in Iraq.
  Despite being a young and otherwise healthy mother of two with no 
family history of cancer, she and her family faced roadblocks to 
getting the care that she needed from the VA.
  At her kitchen table, she asked me to lead this fight, and I promised 
her I would. Now, 5 years later, we are closer than ever before to 
fulfilling Jennifer's vision for her fellow veterans.
  With my provision included to get veterans the presumptive benefits 
they have earned and deserve, the Honoring our PACT Act will ensure 
that no other veteran will have to fight like Jennifer did for the care 
they need.
  I urge the Senate to fulfill our Nation's promise to our veterans, 
honor Jennifer's memory, and pass the Honoring our PACT Act without 
delay.

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