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Protection for Veterans’ Burn Pit Exposure Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-4086| House 
| Updated: 8/22/2019
Gus M. Bilirakis

Gus M. Bilirakis

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
John Katko (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Andy Barr (Republican)Filemon Vela (Democratic)Cynthia Axne (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Scott R. Tipton (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Military Personnel Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protection for Veterans' Burn Pit Exposure Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make a determination, after receipt of a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) titled Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Hazards Exposures in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations, on whether a positive association exists between (1) the exposure of humans to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open air burn pits (areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) and other airborne hazards, and (2) the occurrence of a diagnosed illness in humans. Upon determination of a positive association, the VA must prescribe regulations providing that (1) a presumption of service-connection is warranted for certain illnesses manifesting in certain time frames, and (2) covered veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals caused by open burn pits unless conclusive evidence proves otherwise. Covered veterans are veterans who were deployed on or after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation and based at a location where an open burn pit was used. If the VA determines a presumption of service-connection is not warranted, a notice must be published and include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The bill also requires the VA to remove previous presumptions if evidence indicates such presumption is not warranted. The Department of Defense must provide NASEM with access to information it requests for the study on Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Hazards Exposures in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations .
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Timeline
Jul 26, 2019
Introduced in House
Jul 26, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 29, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Aug 22, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • July 26, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 26, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • July 29, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • August 22, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Armed Forces and National Security

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAir qualityCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEnvironmental healthFiresGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesMilitary operations and strategyMilitary personnel and dependentsSolid waste and recyclingVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Protection for Veterans’ Burn Pit Exposure Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-4086| House 
| Updated: 8/22/2019
Protection for Veterans' Burn Pit Exposure Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make a determination, after receipt of a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) titled Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Hazards Exposures in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations, on whether a positive association exists between (1) the exposure of humans to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open air burn pits (areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) and other airborne hazards, and (2) the occurrence of a diagnosed illness in humans. Upon determination of a positive association, the VA must prescribe regulations providing that (1) a presumption of service-connection is warranted for certain illnesses manifesting in certain time frames, and (2) covered veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals caused by open burn pits unless conclusive evidence proves otherwise. Covered veterans are veterans who were deployed on or after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation and based at a location where an open burn pit was used. If the VA determines a presumption of service-connection is not warranted, a notice must be published and include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The bill also requires the VA to remove previous presumptions if evidence indicates such presumption is not warranted. The Department of Defense must provide NASEM with access to information it requests for the study on Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Hazards Exposures in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations .
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Timeline
Jul 26, 2019
Introduced in House
Jul 26, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 29, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Aug 22, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • July 26, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 26, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • July 29, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.


  • August 22, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Gus M. Bilirakis

Gus M. Bilirakis

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
John Katko (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Andy Barr (Republican)Filemon Vela (Democratic)Cynthia Axne (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Scott R. Tipton (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Military Personnel Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Armed Services Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAir qualityCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEnvironmental healthFiresGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesMilitary operations and strategyMilitary personnel and dependentsSolid waste and recyclingVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation