Burn Pits Caucus

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, while serving our country, many of our brave men and women were exposed to large plumes of black smoke and cancer- causing toxins from the burning of waste, chemicals, and plastics in burn pits. Now veterans from across the country who have no other risk factors are developing terminal cancer, leaving their families to wonder why, families of heroes like Jenn Kepner's, a 39-year-old Air Force veteran who died of pancreatic cancer late last year.

That is why today I am proud to announce the bipartisan Congressional Burn Pits Caucus, to help seek answers for our heroes exposed to burn pits. Representative Brad Wenstrup and I have started this caucus because bureaucratic red tape at the VA and the DOD is denying our veterans the answers they deserve and the care they need.

We can't afford to wait. I urge every Democratic and Republican alike to join the Congressional Burn Pits Caucus and start fighting for our veterans to get the care they need and deserve.

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