Media

Representative Newhouse Cosponsors IAVA-Backed Burn Pits Legislation

August 21, 2018
Press

WASHINGTON, DC (August 21, 2018) – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of veterans, is proud to announce that U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) has become a cosponsor of the Burn Pits Accountability Act (S. 3181/H.R. 5671), to improve the tracking and reporting of servicemembers’ exposure to burn pits and airborne toxins during their deployments.

Congressman Newhouse has served the 4th District of Washington since 2015, which includes Yakima and the Tri-Cities area in the central part of the state. He currently serves on both the Appropriations and Rules committees.

“Per our most recent IAVA Member Survey, 80% of IAVA members report being exposed to burn pits and 63% of those exposed report symptoms. I count myself among the 63%,” said IAVA Chief Policy Officer, Melissa Bryant. “According to the VA, about 3.5 million servicemembers and veterans are eligible for enrollment in the VA’s Burn Pit and Toxic Exposures Registry yet only 154,000 are enrolled. We want to thank Rep. Newhouse in helping change this.”

“I am pleased to support this important legislation as well as continue efforts in Congress to take care of our veterans and service members who protect our nation at home and abroad. The exposure of our veterans and service members to burn pits and airborne toxins during their deployments is a serious concern that we must address. I look forward to the House moving this legislation to final passage,” said Congressman Newhouse.

The Burn Pits Accountability Act, sponsored by Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Brian Mast (R-FL), now has 119 House cosponsors, and 5 in the Senate. The bill is among IAVA’s Big Six priorities for 2018, including Suicide Prevention, Government Reform, #SheWhoBorneTheBattle, #DefendTheGIBill, and Medicinal Cannabis Use for Veterans.