‘God Bless Our Troops:’ How Biden’s signature speech-ender continues to have an impact

By Christina Lorey

April 1, 2025

“God bless our troops.”

It may have seemed small, but former president Joe Biden ended EVERY speech with those four words — and his actions backed them up.

One of the most impactful pieces of legislation the former president signed into law is called the PACT Act — the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history.

Its main purpose? To make sure veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances can get the help they need for free.

🇺🇸 MORE: Everything the PACT Act Really Does

Biden’s late son Beau died of brain cancer, which doctors believe was the result of years of burn pit exposure while deployed.

The law also requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran AND funds research and treatment studies related to toxic exposures in hopes of saving future lives.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: The Real Reason Trump Made English Our Official Language

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: NATIONAL POLITICS

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Wisconsinites and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at UpNorthNews has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Wisconsin families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.