Sen. Gillibrand, Reps. Pou And Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Civilian Victims Of Toxic Exposure

*** Watch the Members’ Press Conference Here *** The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act would allow civilians who served with U.S. troops in proximity to toxic burn pits to receive compensation for illnesses Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) stood alongside advocates to introduce new legislation to support victims of toxic exposure. The bipartisan Kenya Merritt Renewing Our Promise to Address Chemical Toxicity Act (PACT) Act would make it easier for federal employees who served with U.S. troops overseas to receive workers’ compensation for diseases and conditions associated with toxic exposure. This would allow civilians who worked in proximity to toxic burn pits to receive compensation for their illnesses from the federal agencies that employed them. “As a result of the PACT Act , millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins while serving our country are receiving the healthcare they deserve. Now, it’s time that we extend those lifesaving benefits to civilians who were exposed to toxic chemicals while supporting the U.S. military overseas,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This legislation would finally ensure that Americans who put their lives on the line to support our military are no longer forced to jump through unnecessary hoops or carry the burden of toxic exposure alone.” “The Renewing Our PACT Act closes a major gap left behind by the original PACT Act by helping civilian federal employees exposed to toxic burn pits overseas access fair treatment through the federal workers’ compensation system,” said Representative Pou. “These public servants served alongside our troops in dangerous conditions and should not face impossible burdens to receive care and support after becoming sick from their service.” “America’s promise to those who serve in harm’s way must be kept long after the mission ends. That principle has long guided my work for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, and it is the same principle behind this legislation,” said Representative Fitzpatrick. “Federal law enforcement officers, intelligence professionals, and civilian federal employees served beside our troops, breathed the same toxic air, and carried home the same risks. They should not be forced to fight an impossible burden of proof for the care and compensation they earned. The Renewing Our PACT Act brings long-overdue fairness to these brave Americans and ensures that when the cost of service comes due, they are met with care—not denial, delay, or doubt.” Gillibrand was a leading champion of the PACT Act, which expanded healthcare and benefits to veterans suffering from illness caused by exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances while serving abroad. These burn pits-related medical conditions are presumptively service-connected, meaning that veterans who were deployed overseas near burn pits no longer have to provide direct proof that their disease is service-related in order to receive benefits. The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act would establish the same presumptive connection for civilians who served with U.S. troops in proximity to burn pits, allowing them to more easily receive compensation for illnesses resulting from toxic exposure. The presumption would apply to federal law enforcement officers, Intelligence Community employees, and civilians who worked at the State Department, DoD, DHS, Treasury, Commerce, and USDA for at least 30 days in another country in an overseas military “contingency operation” covered under Title 10 of the United States Code. The bill is named after Kenya Merritt, an FBI agent who did a six-month counterterrorism deployment to Iraq in 2010, where he was exposed to burn pits. He was diagnosed with lung cancer after his deployment, and passed away from it on October 30, 2024 at 48 years old. The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act is supported by Mr. Merritt’s family and endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEO), the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association (FBIAA), AMVETS, Burn Pits 360, and the National Brain Tumor Society. “I am grateful that members of Congress came together in a bipartisan way to introduce this legislation,” said Stephanie Merritt, widow of FBI Special Agent Kenya Merritt. “Federal employees like my husband, Kenya, served beside the military in hazardous environments overseas and took many of the same risks, but when illness came, they were not treated the same. This legislation helps correct that, and I am proud that Kenya’s story may help other families receive the recognition, support, and care they deserve.” “The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) appreciates the bill sponsors for recognizing an issue that has affected FBI personnel, professional staff, and other civilian federal employees for far too long,” said FBIAA President Natalie Bara. “Men and women who served beside our military should not be treated differently simply because they served in a civilian capacity. The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act is about fairness, honoring service, and ensuring that federal employees who accepted extraordinary risks for this country are treated with the dignity and support they deserve.” “Thousands of federal law enforcement officers have deployed overseas in support of America’s national security mission, serving in the same hazardous conditions as members of our military and often exposed to the same toxic burn pits,” said Justin Brown on behalf of AMVETS. “But while veterans gained support through the PACT Act , too many federal officers and employees who answered that same call to service continue to face unnecessary barriers when seeking care and benefits tied to toxic exposures. The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act helps address that inequity by recognizing shared sacrifice and extending fair treatment to those who served our country overseas in harm’s way. AMVETS applauds the bipartisan sponsors of this legislation for advancing an important and overdue fix for these public servants and their families.” “National Police Week is a time when we honor the heroic men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities and this nation,” said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National President Mathew Silverman . “While constant training prepares us for many of the risks inherent in law enforcement work, what we cannot prepare for are the unseen dangers, including the long-term health risks of being exposed to all manner of hazardous toxins. Like the World Trade Center Health Program for those with 9/11-related health conditions, the Renewing Our PACT Act addresses a serious gap in the federal government’s duty to care for those who gave all to keep us safe. And we are extremely grateful to Sen. Gillibrand and Reps. Pou, Fitzpatrick, and Maloy for their leadership on this critical legislation.” The full text of the legislation can be found here . ###