On the recordJune 7, 2018
As the gentleman from California said, some veterans have reported respiratory issues and other health conditions that they believe are related to their exposure to burn pits. There are studies that provide information about the health effects related to exposure, but not enough to determine the long-term impacts. In response, the VA is researching, responsibly, the issue and has created the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry for veterans and servicemembers. However, many veterans, unfortunately, do not know about the burn pit registry. The gentleman from California's amendment would help bring attention to the registry to get more veterans registered so that, should an issue arise, they can be contacted quickly and receive the care that they have earned. There is no cost to the veteran to participate, and the veteran does not even need to be enrolled in the VA's healthcare system. The burn pit registry is a tool to help participants become more aware of their health and to identify health conditions possibly related to exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards. But it only works if veterans know to sign up, and the gentleman's amendment will accomplish that. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
