Bipartisan Tillis bill would help veterans experiencing health impacts of toxic burn pit exposure

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Tuesday would help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) better care for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act would establish a center of excellence within the VA to better understand the impact of toxic burn pit exposure, and to better treat veterans who were exposed to burn pits.

“Many of our brave men and women in uniform were exposed to harmful substances from toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we have an obligation to care for them,” Tillis said. “This bipartisan bill is the beginning of that commitment, providing resources to the VA to study the health effects caused by the burn pits and to provide treatment to veterans who became sick after exposure. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our veterans have the care they need and deserve.”

Veterans exposed to the burning of plastic, aerosol cans, electronic equipment, human waste, tires and batteries on military bases have experienced neurological effects, reproductive issues, respiratory toxicity and cardiovascular toxicity.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who introduced the bill with Tillis, said the increasing number of men and women returning home with health issues from exposure to burn pits has made clear that action must be taken.

“Our bipartisan bill ‎helps to move us in the right direction by dedicating staff and resources to address the health conditions related to the exposure of burn pits,” Klobuchar said. “We need to do right by our veterans and ensure they receive the care and support they need.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) was among the bill’s original cosponsors.