It seems to me that those who served our country in the military, who were drafted, who volunteered, they have an expectation of taking certain risks associated with their military service.

We ought to be encouraging collaboration. There are agencies and departments who have expertise.

Among the invisible wounds of war are those brought home by troops, some of which may not manifest for years or even decades after the toxic exposure(s) while in military service to America.

My point is, you oppose the bill that is designed to give us the standing in which we have the credibility to give you the authority; yet, you oppose the bill that creates that opportunity for us?

No one can argue that our children and grandchildren should have these burdens visited on them.

Most of the available epidemiology studies are not relevant to the primary exposure group of concern, male Vietnam veterans.

The Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, embodied in S. 901 and H.R. 1769, does just that.

This is a simple and straightforward proposal that will begin to address the needs of the progeny of every generation of veterans.

VVA is calling for more research on the generational legacy of toxic exposures for all veterans who have been exposed while serving in the Armed Forces.

Is there a reason for the inspection of under---interstate underground storage facilities, something that the Federal Government should be interested in?

I will generally confine my remarks and questions to the bill that Senator Blumenthal and I introduced related to toxic exposure.

I would highlight what Senator Tester had to say which was--and I cannot speak for Senator Blumenthal, but I have no doubt that what I, and I would guess Senator Blumenthal would be very interested in is finding the right place to house…

A connection between toxin exposure and effects on offspring, including developmental disruption, and disease onset in later life is biologically plausible.

the concerns of veterans and their progeny are vested in this department.

Certainly everything that I have read by other agencies indicate that there is a need for additional evidence, scientific/medical research and that any suggestion that the VA or anybody else has reached the necessary conclusions, necessary…

the VA lacks the internal capability, capacity, and experience in the intergenerational research that will be required.

the legislation gives the VA Secretary a strong, independent Advisory Board--of unpaid professionals--to provide diverse perspectives and technical expertise.

The hypothesis that paternal preconception exposure to toxic agents may result in harm to their children remains unresolved, in part, because of the sparseness of research on the subject.