Meijer, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Address Veteran Burn Pit Exposure

U.S. Representatives Peter Meijer (R-MI), a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), the newest member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, today announced they will introduce the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act to help address the specific needs of veterans exposed to open-air toxic burn pits while serving in the Armed Forces.

Right now, many veterans are unable to access health care and benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) because they cannot prove their ailment was caused by toxic exposure. This bill would formally recognize that veterans who served near open-air burn pits in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places were exposed to airborne hazards and toxins and take the burden of proof off the veteran, requiring the V.A. to perform a medical examination to determine if exposure is linked to a veteran's particular ailment.

"We have an urgent moral obligation to take care of the men and women who have served and sacrificed to defend our nation," said Rep. Meijer. "There are veterans across the country who are struggling with serious health conditions resulting from their exposure to burn pits during their service, yet bureaucratic obstacles have prevented them from receiving the care they need and deserve. Waiting even one day for treatment of this toxic exposure is too long, and our veterans deserve better. This bill offers a critical first step to ensure servicemembers exposed to toxic hazards receive the care they have earned, and I am proud to join my colleague Rep. Slotkin in these efforts."

"Too many veterans in Michigan and across the country need specialized care due to toxic exposure over the course of their service, and too many of them are having to fight the VA to get it," said Rep. Slotkin. "While this bill doesn't solve the whole problem, it's an important first step in cutting through red tape and simplifying this process for veterans trying to access the benefits and care they're entitled to. The bill eliminates the unreasonable presumption and burden on veterans to prove that they were exposed to burn pits while serving at an installation where these practices were used. The delay in care for veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam was a tragic failure, and one we can't repeat. We make a promise to our men and women in uniform to care for them once they've returned home, and this bill is an important first step in keeping that promise. I'm eager to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to get this bill on the president's desk."

The Veterans Burn Pit Exposure Recognition Act of 2021 would:

Eliminate the unreasonable burden on veterans to prove they were exposed to burn pits while serving on an installation where those practices were in use;
Formally recognize and concede that veterans who served near burn pits were exposed to airborne hazards, toxins, and particulate matters, potentially aiding thousands of veterans who otherwise do not have documentation of their exposure;
Require the VA to conduct a full medical examination on veterans to determine a potential connection between an ailment and past toxic exposure;
Work in acknowledgment of ongoing research being conducted by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

The bill has the support of several veteran advocacy groups including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), and the Wounded Warrior Project.

"Our nation has a solemn duty to care for those suffering long-term, negative health effects from toxic exposure to open air burn pits during their military service," said DAV National Commander Stephen Whitehead. "DAV supports the Veterans Burn Pit Exposure Recognition Act and applauds Representative Slotkin for her leadership in this effort that will help eliminate red tape and assist affected veterans seeking benefits for disabilities related to burn pits."

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