In her testimony, Klobuchar discussed the need to dedicate staff and resources to explore diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions stemming from exposure to burn pits

In March, Klobuchar and Tillis authored the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act; the bipartisan bill would create a center of excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who have become sick after exposure

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar this week testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to urge for passage of her bipartisan bill to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. In her testimony, Klobuchar discussed the need to dedicate staff and resources to explore diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions stemming from exposure to burn pits. In March, Klobuchar and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) authored the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act. The bipartisan bill would create a center of excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who have become sick after exposure.

“Thousands of veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are struggling with respiratory and other health issues possibly linked to exposure to burn pits,” said Klobuchar. “We need to do right by our veterans and keep our promise to care for them when they return home. We can’t let burn pits become this generation’s Agent Orange.”

The Department of Defense estimates that between 65,000 and 85,000 pounds of solid waste from items such as plastics, aerosol cans, electronic equipment, human waste, metal containers, tires, and batteries were burned each day at large bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Health effects from exposure to chemicals found in burn pits may include cancer, neurological effects, reproductive effects, respiratory toxicity, and cardiovascular toxicity. Across the country, more than 65,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have begun the process of filing reports with the VA’s voluntary registry, a tool to help identify health conditions possibly related to burn pits.

Klobuchar has worked in a bipartisan manner to modernize G.I. Bill benefits for our troops and to strengthen funding veterans’ health care, including service related injuries related to Agent Orange exposure. She has also authored bipartisan bills on behalf of our nation’s veterans and their families to expand job training and employment opportunities and to reduce veterans’ homelessness.

For a broadcast-quality video excerpt of Klobuchar’s remarks, click here.

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