Thomas Daschle: “I would like to call to our colleagues' attention important new findings on the relationship between Agent Orange…”

“I would like to call to our colleagues' attention important new findings on the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and certain health conditions. Earlier today, the Institute of Medicine [IOM], which is part of the National Academy of Sciences [NAS], released an update to their 1994 report, ``Veterans and Agent Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam.'' These reports were mandated in the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102- 4), which I authored with Senator John Kerry, Senator Alan Cranston and Representative Lane Evans. This report confirms what Vietnam veterans have long known: The Vietnam war is still claiming innocent victims. Unfortunately, the findings announced today validate veterans' worst fears about Agent Orange--that their children are suffering serious health consequences as a result of their parents' military service. The report found evidence suggestive of an association between veterans' exposure to Agent Orange and the presence of a severe form of spina bifida in their children.”