Political Quotes

“As we stand here right now, our brave men and women overseas and our returning veterans continue to suffer the horrific health effects of their exposure to toxic burn pits. Burn pits are fields where tons of waste like jet fuel, plastics, and medical waste were burned right next to military bases, exposing servicemembers to an array of toxic pollutants, particulate matter, and known carcinogens like dioxin. For too long, servicemembers have inhaled black fumes from burn pits. To make matters worse, their symptoms, like subtle shortness of breath that progresses, headaches, or dry cough, have been dismissed. As a physician, I know these symptoms can signal serious health conditions, like severe pulmonary diseases, chronic fibrosis, chronic bronchiolitis, and others. For years, the Department of Defense has been dismissing the serious health effects of burn pits, hiding behind promises about ``ongoing studies.'' Promises about studies are not enough. It is time to act. Our heroes cannot afford to wait. That is why we must pass four of my bipartisan bills included as amendments to the NDAA. First, H.R. 7596, the DOD Burn Pits Health Provider Training Act, will require DOD to implement mandatory training for all their medical providers on the potential health effects of exposure to open-air burn pits. No longer can we allow symptoms of burn pit exposure to be dismissed. Second, H.R.…”