Collins & Burr: CIA, State Dept. personnel must be compensated for brain injuries

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Richard Burr (R-NC) joined a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers to unveil legislation on Dec. 8 that supports American public servants who have incurred brain injuries while stationed at overseas embassies.

“Public servants who work in our embassies and consulates overseas make many personal sacrifices to represent America’s interests abroad, and they deserve our strong support,” Sen. Collins said  

The newly introduced bill, S. 4973, follows the recent release on Dec. 5 of a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the more than 40 U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, and at least a dozen U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, who suffered symptoms “consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed, radiofrequency energy.”  

Ailments have included dizziness, tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo, and cognitive difficulties, according to the report, which notes that although the attacks first began in late 2016, many of the affected personnel continue to suffer from health problems today.

“This legislation helps those who have been afflicted with what is now called ‘Havana syndrome’ by making sure any brain injuries are covered,” Sen. Burr said. “I’m proud to work with Senator Collins on this important bill and I look forward to the Senate’s consideration.”

If enacted, the bill would provide additional compensation for brain injuries to State Department or CIA employees at the discretion of the agency head, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. S. 4973 also would require the CIA and State Department to report to Congress on how the authorized funding is being used and if additional legislative or administrative action is required, the summary says. 

“As we investigate the source of previous microwave attacks and seek to prevent them from occurring in the future, this legislation would provide additional financial assistance to Americans who were injured and continue to experience debilitating symptoms,” said Sen. Collins, who sponsored S. 4973 with nine other lawmakers, including Sen. Burr and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).