June 22, 2023 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and its chair, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), met with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough for a conversation about ongoing efforts to implement policies and programs established by the Investing in America Agenda, made up of the historic legislation Democrats enacted last Congress – including the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The PACT Act is expanding Veterans’ health care and addressing the effects of toxic exposures that occurred during their military service. Members of the RLC and Secretary McDonough discussed how the Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats will continue working to ensure Veterans across the country benefit from this transformative legislation. Image “Last Congress, Democrats passed the largest health care and benefit expansion in Veterans Affairs history as part of the Investing in America Agenda,” said Congressman Hoyer. “So far – the PACT Act has created 43,108 new jobs and enrolled over 89,000 new Veterans. Today, the Regional Leadership Council heard from Secretary McDonough about the Biden-Harris Administration’s current efforts to reach Veterans nationwide and discussed how House Democrats can partner with the administration to increase enrollment and awareness of the benefits available to Veterans through the PACT Act. As Members head into a two-week District Work Period and the administration embarks on a second Investing in America Tour, our meeting today reemphasized that the success of these laws is dependent upon our shared efforts to make sure Members reach Veterans in every zip code and ensure these Veterans and their families can access the PACT Act-related health care and benefits they have more than earned.” “Thanks to the bipartisan PACT act, there are millions of Veterans and survivors across America who are eligible for new health care and benefits – and we will not rest until every one of them gets what they’ve earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough. “We at VA are proud to work with our Congressional leaders to reach Veterans, implement this historic law, and continue delivering more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before in our nation's history." Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created The Regional Leadership Council in January 2023 and appointed Congressman Hoyer to serve as Chair. The Council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States' twelve regions. Members of the RLC have met with administration officials and community leaders to discuss how Americans in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic policies Democrats secured in the 117th Congress. Since April, the Council has met U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Make sure you keep up with the Regional Leadership Council by visiting our website, signing up for our newsletter, and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
