Blackburn’s bipartisan bill would cover K2 Air Base veterans exposed to toxic chemicals

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) proposed a bipartisan bill that would require the U.S. Defense Secretary to conduct a study on toxic exposure by members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed to the Uzbekistan-based Karshi Khanabad (K2) Air Base so they could be included in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Open Burn Pit Registry.

In turn, any exposed service members would then be able to obtain critical health screenings and services, according to Sen. Blackburn’s office. “This bill is a necessary first step in recognizing the long-term health effects from these dangerous exposures that will give K2 veterans access to much-needed care,” she said.

Sen. Blackburn on Aug. 4 sponsored the K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020, S. 4429, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) also to ensure that service members who were deployed to K2 are covered and compensated for exposure to toxic substances at the base, among other provisions in the bill.

“Veterans of the Fort Campbell-based 5th Special Forces Group and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment groups were deployed to K2 from 2001-2005,” said Sen. Blackburn, referring to service members stationed in her home state. “Since then, they’ve faced unique health challenges that have been overlooked for far too long.”  

Sen. Balwin noted that “the VA should avoid repeating past mistakes like it did with Agent Orange exposure for Vietnam veterans, and quickly move forward with recognition and coverage for any diseases associated with exposure to toxic substances such as depleted Uranium or particulate matter from military burn pits.”

U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) is leading companion legislation, the same-named H.R. 5957, in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the bill has 43 cosponsors.