Media Advisory for May 17—Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Brian Mast (FL-18), along with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), will hold a press conference with cosponsors and supporters of the Burn Pits Accountability Act ( H.R. 5671 ). The bipartisan legislation would evaluate servicemembers’ exposure to open burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals to begin the process of understanding, assessing, and treating these service-related ailments. Over 140,000 servicemembers and veterans have reported exposure to burn pits and toxic airborne chemicals over the past three decades. Exposure can produce serious and potentially life-threatening health effects, including neurological disorders, rare forms of cancer, lung diseases, and more—triggering some to call the crisis the ‘Agent Orange’ of the post-9/11 generation.

Details:

Day-of Contact: Lauren McIlvaine (Gabbard): (202) 713-6040

Thursday, May 17, 2018:

Who:

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02)

Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18)

Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Supporting veterans, veteran service organizations (VSOs), and military service organizations (MSOs)

When: 10:00 AM ET

Where: House Triangle, U.S. Capitol

Rain location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room Number 2216

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