Media
Representative Rosen Cosponsors IAVA-Backed Burn Pits Legislation
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. Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) 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.
Rep. Rosen has served in the House since 2017 and represents the 3rd District of Nevada, located in the southern part of the state. She currently serves on the powerful Armed Services Committee, as well as the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
“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. Rosen for signing onto this important piece of legislation.”
“We have a responsibility in Congress to protect the health and well-being of those who have put their lives on the line to protect this nation,” said Rosen. “That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this bill aimed at improving the lives of our men and women in uniform battling illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic burn pit smoke during their deployments. I’m committed to working across the aisle with my colleagues to ensure we’re doing all we can to support our servicemembers and veterans.”
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 #CannabisForVets.