Joe Biden signs bill to expand benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits

The historic 'Pact Act' faced controversial opposition from pro-military Republicans

US President Joe Biden signs the Pact Act into law, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. EPA

Mr Biden hands the pen used to sign the act into law to Brielle Robinson, the surviving daughter of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson. EPA

Mr Biden embraces Danielle Robinson, the widow of Sgt First Class Heath Robinson. AFP

The president hugs his grandson Robert Biden, the son of the late Beau Biden, during the ceremony. EPA

Former 'Daily Show' host and activist Jon Stewart hugs Sri Benson whose wife Katie died from mesothelioma after exposure to asbestosis during her military deployment in Kuwait. EPA

Mr Benson holds up a picture of his deceased wife Katie, a former US army medic, during the signing ceremony. Reuters

Stewart is embraced by Mr Benson, who holds a picture of his wife Katie. Reuters

David Shulkin, former US secretary of Veterans Affairs under former president Donald Trump, attends the ceremony in spite of Republicans blocking the bill. Bloomberg

Mr Biden and Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, enter the East Room of the White House for the signing ceremony. Bloomberg

Susan Zeier, mother of Danielle Robinson, talks with Stewart. EPA

Mr Biden poses for a selfie after signing the bill. AP

Mr Biden's grandson, Robert, was seated next to Robinson's daughter at the ceremony. Reuters

Stewart embraces Ms Robinson at the ceremony. AFP

An attendee holds up a photo of deceased US veteran John Mora during the signing ceremony. AFP

Alejandro Mayorkas, US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, arrives. Bloomberg

Stewart and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the ceremony. AFP

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a bill that expands health care and benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, particularly during the Iraq and Afghan wars.

“This is the most significant law our nation has ever had passed to help millions of veterans who are exposed to toxic substances during their military service,” said Mr Biden. “I was going to get this done come hell or high water.”

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honouring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or “Pact Act”, passed Congress after facing Republican opposition in the Senate. It was named after veteran Heath Robinson, who died of a rare cancer two years ago after exposure to toxic burn pits on deployment in Iraq.

His widow Danielle and daughter Brielle were among those at the White House ceremony as Mr Biden signed the bill into law. Brielle was given the pen that cemented her father's name into veterans' health care history.

“Ours is just one story. So many military families who had to fight this terrible emotional battle. So many veterans are still battling burn pit illnesses today,” Ms Robinson said.

Former 'Daily Show' host and activist Jon Stewart hugs Sri Benson at the signing ceremony of the Pact Act. EPA

Mr Biden's own family was affected. The President lost his veteran son Beau to brain cancer, and spoke directly to Brielle, who sat beside the president's grandson.

“I know you miss your daddy, but he's with you all the time,” said Mr Biden.

Washington's Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) called the Pact Act “the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history”.

The law expands VA health care eligibility to 9/11 combat veterans, which includes more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans, and adds 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to the department's list of service presumptions.

Jon Stewart speaks during a press conference about the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 in Washington. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart has long advocated for causes he believes in. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart hugs 9/11 advocate John Feal. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart has been championing causes for veterans for many years. Getty Images / AFP

Senator John Tester and Stewart embrace. Getty Images / AFP

Air Force veteran Tim Hauser speaks during Thursday's press conference. Getty Images / AFP

An Afghan National Army pickup truck passes a fire in a trash burn pit south of Kabul, Afghanistan. AP

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand addresses a news conference about military burn pits legislation outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart poses for a photograph with Lauren Grigsby, Charlotte Brock and Melinda Beyer whose friend, Marine Corps veteran Kate Hendricks, died after being exposed to burn pits. AFP

Danielle Robinson, widow of Ohio Army National Guard veteran Health Robinson, who died in 2020 due to lung cancer caused by burn pits, addresses the crowds. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart talks with Ms Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP

Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Army Sgt First Class Heath Robinson outside the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP

Mr Schumer greets Brielle Robinson. Getty Images / AFP

Congressman Raul Ruiz joins veterans, advocacy groups, activists, victims' families and fellow Democrats for a news conference about military burn pits legislation. Getty Images / AFP

Stewart, a long-time New Yorker, also advocated for 9/11 victims. Getty Images / AFP

Trash at a burn pit in Forward Operating Base Zeebrudge, Helmand province, Afghanistan. US Marines / AFP

Burn pits are commonly used by the US military to get rid of everything from plastic bottles to human waste to old tyres – all incinerated with the aid of jet fuel. US Marines / AFP

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at a news conference at the US Capitol in March. Getty Images / AFP

“Thank you to all of the veterans, survivors and family members who fought tirelessly to make this day possible, and thank you to President Biden for keeping our nation’s promise to those who served,” the department's Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement after the signing.

“We at VA will stop at nothing to make sure that every veteran and every survivor gets the Pact Act-related care and benefits they deserve.”

Comedian and activist Jon Stewart, who lobbied on Capitol Hill to pass the Pact Act, was among those in the audience. Mr Biden acknowledged Mr Stewart's activism.

“We owe you big, man,” said Mr Biden.