Two bills Hickenlooper co-sponsored become law
Also votes to advance legislation to expand VA benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined President Biden today at the White House for the signing of nine bills honoring our veterans and compensating workers who were exposed to toxic radiation while serving our country. Each of the bills passed unanimously through the U.S. Senate.
“Veterans and others who bravely served our country deserve high-quality health care and education. These bills help keep our promises to these heroes,” said Hickenlooper.
Hickenlooper co-sponsored two of the bills, including the RECA Extension Act of 2022 which extends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program by two years. This program compensates workers exposed to nuclear radiation during weapons testing conducted between 1945 and 1962. Colorado has one of the largest populations of impacted employees. Hickenlooper also co-sponsored the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, which awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Rangers Veterans of World War II.
The bill signing also included bipartisan measures to expand access to job training, telehealth, and mammograms for veterans, as well as strengthen oversight by the VA Office of Inspector General.
Separately, Hickenlooper voted to advance the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, which is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to dramatically expand access to health care and VA benefits for veterans, including those suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits.
Hickenlooper co-sponsors several additional bills supporting veterans, including the Major Richard Star Act, which ensures veterans with fewer than 20 years of service receive the full benefits they have earned upon retirement, and the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act, to improve access to mental health care for veterans, particularly those residing in rural areas. The bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill, which Hickenlooper voted for, secured $100 billion to deliver, modernize, and improve medical care for veterans.
Colorado is home to over 400,000 veterans and six active U.S. military bases, including the U.S. Air Force Academy.
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