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Stewart and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the ceremony. AFP
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US President Joe Biden signs the Pact Act into law, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. EPA
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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
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Mr Biden embraces Danielle Robinson, the widow of Sgt First Class Heath Robinson. AFP
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The president hugs his grandson Robert Biden, the son of the late Beau Biden, during the ceremony. EPA
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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
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Mr Benson holds up a picture of his deceased wife Katie, a former US army medic, during the signing ceremony. Reuters
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Stewart is embraced by Mr Benson, who holds a picture of his wife Katie. Reuters
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David Shulkin, former US secretary of Veterans Affairs under former president Donald Trump, attends the ceremony in spite of Republicans blocking the bill. Bloomberg
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Mr Biden and Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, enter the East Room of the White House for the signing ceremony. Bloomberg
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Susan Zeier, mother of Danielle Robinson, talks with Stewart. EPA
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Mr Biden poses for a selfie after signing the bill. AP
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Mr Biden's grandson, Robert, was seated next to Robinson's daughter at the ceremony. Reuters
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Stewart embraces Ms Robinson at the ceremony. AFP
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An attendee holds up a photo of deceased US veteran John Mora during the signing ceremony. AFP
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Alejandro Mayorkas, US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, arrives. Bloomberg
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Stewart and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the ceremony. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WHBC3SAOW45YOZMR34DALTRCW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5da31a800e46d0ed95d686f808149ed017999622fc93bf0f0e4a8d702b2e34eb&width=400&height=225)
US President Joe Biden signs the Pact Act into law, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YAMJVVIBOAKZT4QUGS54BF4VSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ae6fc80c72b51ff4974ad624f1f2d558c2e6dc132d01c9f8e89722e4ec5ba2a&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43NWLIBJNGMOLZZBFSXIM2RXDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdadfbb508a024e3867f762a6e92a1425499286cdd247cb16e1ebd55ae3497c2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden embraces Danielle Robinson, the widow of Sgt First Class Heath Robinson. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RPOONXMBY5YVPXOKRG5R76ENQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcfbd9e4cf94ded3b970f226d06ae154a7e0df663dde4139df63e483c03cca02&width=400&height=225)
The president hugs his grandson Robert Biden, the son of the late Beau Biden, during the ceremony. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PI3GGON67XMTUUJQ2HEIYP5KXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a76168e3ff0359b26ce721a471935b8b9fad7c8b5b7e6ae7c062ce2ba1075f1&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FZUZRV4QWEFDUXWTZEA6VVMDL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d07aaafc016ff03a1844334224548282e465ae9febfd15f45a47a977d5e2c9e9&width=400&height=225)
Mr Benson holds up a picture of his deceased wife Katie, a former US army medic, during the signing ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SXOC4MMA536VGO4EBGQ4K553WA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea41aa8d8c56fc9a609e865ec94f87de907ffb3be5e32001af38740971f924ad&width=400&height=225)
Stewart is embraced by Mr Benson, who holds a picture of his wife Katie. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6NU6TZAFSH4NED7C32ZHB5YUJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=634a37d87f86b1bb6f4a15cb778af13fa6a639d8249def11e633dbf4d8ecf3f5&width=400&height=225)
David Shulkin, former US secretary of Veterans Affairs under former president Donald Trump, attends the ceremony in spite of Republicans blocking the bill. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T2IJNIACBDEGOGIMISAIOWXSYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c2b206022bddf5fb2aa84d6d4d8c9056576f95b698a5401109057f342777750&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden and Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, enter the East Room of the White House for the signing ceremony. Bloomberg
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Susan Zeier, mother of Danielle Robinson, talks with Stewart. EPA
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Mr Biden poses for a selfie after signing the bill. AP
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Mr Biden's grandson, Robert, was seated next to Robinson's daughter at the ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JR65NKBQOFPZWQLJXFGIA7CJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=675d4506e88a006ec384182dfa8051e75e68b973171393148835adaef6c86baa&width=400&height=225)
Stewart embraces Ms Robinson at the ceremony. AFP
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An attendee holds up a photo of deceased US veteran John Mora during the signing ceremony. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I3CZ3DZ2CCKSS4ZICLYQXPAQWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=97329b2a19e430cde8253411c2025ef898af20f2f8bbf538ec7a4b5e4b49e6e7&width=400&height=225)
Alejandro Mayorkas, US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, arrives. Bloomberg
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Stewart and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the ceremony. AFP