Today, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of today’s oversight hearing to assess the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) progress regarding implementation of S. 3373, the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, comprehensive toxic exposure healthcare and benefits legislation: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, everyone. Thank you to our witnesses for being here to discuss V.A.’s progress towards implementing the PACT Act. D.O.D estimates that 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to dangerous toxins over the past 20 years. Thousands of veterans have reported becoming sick as a result of that exposure. Unfortunately, the V.A. has been slow in providing them with earned healthcare and benefits. I am proud that Congress worked in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to finally pass the PACT Act. However, signing the bill into law was only the first step. Now we have to make sure that V.A. implements the bill...