Congressman Price Applauds the Passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act

WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2022) –  Today, Representative David Price (NC-04) voted for the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (Honoring Our PACT Act), a comprehensive bipartisan package that addresses toxic exposure experienced by our veterans.  

The Honoring Our PACT Act includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, critical legislation cosponsored by Congressman Price, that would provide service members and their families who were injured or died because of their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina the ability to seek their long overdue day in court. 

“The federal government has a responsibility to care for our veterans, service members, and their families – but that’s not what happened at Camp Lejeune when thousands were exposed to contaminated tap water for decades. Those affected have been suffering for far too long and they deserve justice – and that includes having their day in court,” said Congressman David Price. “I am grateful for the tireless advocacy of affected Marines and their families, supportive allies, and congressional colleagues that allowed for this culmination of justice long deferred, and I was honored to vote for a package that takes a critical step to honor the promises we have made to our veterans.” 

Over a 34-year period spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s, thousands of Marines, their families, civilian workers and personnel living or working at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other harmful chemicals. These chemicals were identified in water throughout the military installation at levels ranging from 240 to 3,400 times the levels permitted by safety standards and their exposure to this toxic water increased their risk of developing various cancers, adverse birth outcomes, and other medical tragedies. A unique provision in North Carolina law has prevented families from filing suit in the appropriate district court, but the Camp Lejeune Justice Act corrects this anomaly, and will provide a legal pathway for affected veterans and their families to pursue fair compensation. 

A fact sheet on the Honoring Our PACT Act can be found here. Information on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act can be found starting on page 76 of the Honoring Our PACT Act Rules text.