When all kinds of waste is dumped into a pit and lit to permanently dispose of it, there is no permanent disposition, the soldiers have lingering effects in their lungs and it never leaves.
In June 2014, (click here) VA launched the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in response to concerns
that Veterans were experiencing a range of respiratory illnesses possibly associated with exposure
to burn pits. The registry is open to many Veterans and active-duty Servicemembers who deployed
to various locations. This fact sheet describes why you should participate in the registry and how it
might help uncover links between exposures and certain health conditions.
The action to protect these soldiers has been in existence for years. Nearly a decade. But, the monies to support that effort has to be passed by the Congress regularly since the size of the fund is not fixed.
Yesterday, Republicans for no real reason except hubris for the egos in the chamber voted the funding down and placed our veterans at risk for worsening disease. We know the disease exists, it is a matter of getting funds to effectively treat the disease and work as hard as we can to prevent their deaths.
There is NO EXCUSE for Republicans to deprive these soldiers of their support.
Besides the funding needed for the health of these soldiers there needs to be separate funding for research and development of debris incinerators that can travel with the military units. There is no reason for this disease. The toxins have to be handled and waste is a problem, but, the USA military can bring all sorts of large and heavy equipment to places where soldiers are stationed all around the world. There is simply no reason for the disease in the first place.
But, to return to the funding for the health fund for the veterans the Republicans have no excuse. They are lying to pretend they did the right thing in the USA Senate while they were pumping their fists in joy of the failure of the bill. They are all ego and they lie to justify any action they take. The Republicans are not putting our veterans first. It is time for the US Senate to have elected officials that prioritize the people and not their own interests. Yes, stroking their egos is definitely their own interests.
