Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank my distinguished friend for yielding. I rise enthusiastically joining the President and joining our chairman in…”

“I thank my distinguished friend for yielding. I rise enthusiastically joining the President and joining our chairman in pushing the Honoring our PACT Act and just remind the underlying amendment by Mr. Bost, one-half of 1 percent, do we in this time, do our veterans, do our soldiers deserve half treatment? I don't think so. The Jackson Lee amendment adds to this legislation. It would add a report on the feasibility of modifying the individual longitudinal exposure record system used to register toxic exposure of military personnel to include members of the National Guard who are deployed in the United States in connection with a natural disaster without regard to duty status and may record information regarding a suspected exposure by the National Guard to toxic substances while they are in the midst of their rescues. We know and we thank the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for recognizing and working with my staff that the National Guard is involved in toxic matters on home side. They collaborate with and support civilian authorities and traditional first responders, they are called in as a helpmate. They serve to strengthen and expand local disaster response while the emergency services of a State or locale may have robust plans to deal with unexpected, sometimes disasters strike that overwhelm their resources. Let me just show you, Mr. Speaker, they are involved in the work. This is an important amendment, and I ask my colleagues to support it. Mr.…”