Pou and Advocates Rally for Law Enforcement Heroes Left Behind

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today joined Democratic and Republican colleagues and advocates to push passage of her Renewing Our PACT Act (H.R. 8524) to provide health coverage to federal civilian employees exposed to toxic burn pits.

Pou was joined at the press conference by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), impacted families, and leaders from the FBI Agents Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and AMVETS.

Stephanie Merritt, the widow of the late FBI agent Kenya Merritt, also shared emotional remarks about her husband's passing following his service and the need for this legislation.

"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. 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," said Congresswoman Pou.

For years, civilian federal employees including law enforcement officers and national security personnel served alongside U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas missions. Many worked near open burn pits that exposed them to dangerous toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious illnesses.

In 2022, Congress passed the PACT Act to help veterans exposed to these toxins. But many civilian federal workers were left out. Unlike veterans, these workers are still required to prove their illness was directly caused by toxic exposure during their service overseas, something that can be extremely difficult years later. As a result, many claims are denied, leaving workers and their families without help.

The Renewing Our PACT Act would help fix this problem. The bill creates a clearer and fairer process for civilian federal employees exposed to burn pits while serving overseas.

Under Congresswoman Pou's legislation, certain illnesses tied to burn pit exposure would automatically be treated as work-related for eligible federal employees, similar to the standards already used for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also establishes clear eligibility rules, updates covered illnesses as new medical evidence emerges, and requires the Department of Labor to report to Congress on how the law is being carried out and how many workers may qualify for support.

###