Karen Thurman: “5 years and $80 million later our Nation's gulf war veterans still do not have the answer to their most pressing…”

“5 years and $80 million later our Nation's gulf war veterans still do not have the answer to their most pressing question. What caused Persian Gulf war syndrome? For nearly a year, my office has been working with Dr. James Moss, a researcher in my district who may have found an explanation. Dr. Moss found that when common pesticides--for example, Deet--were combined with drugs used by our soldiers to limit the effects of biological and chemical weapons, Deet became seven times as toxic as when used alone. Congress needs to support continued research based on Dr. Moss' studies. To that end, I have asked the chairman of the Appropriations Committee to earmark $3 million to simply continue this research at a civilian research facility. While this session is quickly ending, the needs of our servicemen are not based on Congress's fiscal year. Unfortunately, our Nation's troops may be needed again in a region where chemical warfare is a possibility. When they put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, we should hold nothing back to ensure their safety. We owe our veterans, present and future, this investment.”