Saturday, December 14, 2019

IAVA Urges Passage of Burn Pits Accountability Act in 2020 NDAA

From IAVA:

PRESS CONTACT
Tel: 212-982-9699

press@iava.org


Washington, D.C. – Today, IAVA proudly anticipates the passage and signing into law of the Burn Pits Accountability Act, landmark IAVA-led legislation addressing one of the most urgent health issues affecting the post-9/11 generation of veterans.

The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 was released last night, which must pass before December 31, 2019, and it includes the Burn Pits Accountability Act (BPAA). The BPAA will require Department of Defense to evaluate whether each member of the Armed Forces had been based or stationed where an open-air burn pit was used to dispose of waste or exposed to toxic airborne chemicals.

“Today we get one step closer to seeing the Burn Pits Accountability Act become law. I want to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Dan Sullivan, Representative Tulsi Gabbard and Representative Brian Mast, for their lead sponsorship and tireless devotion to this issue,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “We now call upon Congress to swiftly pass the NDAA and for the President to sign it into law so we can begin the hard work of seeing who has been affected and ensuring they receive the treatment they need.”

Nearly all military service members who deployed to combat zones since 9/11 were exposed to open-air burn pits: pits of all categories of waste that were burned near where our troops lived and worked. Veterans who breathed those fumes are now coming down with rare cancers, autoimmune diseases and respiratory problems. Shockingly, the VA is rejecting 80% of claims by veterans related to their burn pit exposure. The BPAA is an essential first step in IAVA’s fight to ensure that veterans exposed to burn pits are taken care of.

Note to media: Email press@iava.org or call 212-982-9699

About IAVA

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America...remains the most important organization representing the new generation of veterans." - TIME Magazine

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the premier veterans advocacy and support organization on the planet. Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness, and 1-on-1 case management support. Our mission is to connect, unite, and empower over 425,000 veterans and allies nationwide. We have connected more than 1.2 million veterans with resources and community, and provided thousands of veterans of all generations with life-saving and life-changing personalized support from our Masters-level social service professionals.

Learn more at iava.org.