Tillis Leads Bipartisan Roundtable Discussion on Toxic Exposure

Press Release

This week, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) led a bipartisan roundtable discussion hosted by Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Jerry Moran (R-KS) on "Toxic Exposures During Military Service: The Way Forward" with leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and numerous veterans service organizations.

In addition to a broader discussion on toxic exposure related to military service, the roundtable delved into a legislative proposal, initially developed by The TEAM Coalition, and championed by Senator Tillis, that will fundamentally reform and improve the way that veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The draft bill would expand access to preventative and diagnostic services for veterans exposed to toxins and establish an independent scientific commission tasked with researching the health effects of such toxic exposure, ultimately submitting its findings and recommendations to the VA and Congress on a periodic basis.

Earlier this week, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) participated in a Washington Post Live discussion on the health care challenges veterans face after their service. Senator Tillis spoke on his bipartisan legislative efforts to help veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and burn pits.

"Veterans exposed to toxins is a very personal issue for me since my wife's uncle died of exposure to Agent Orange, and I have been working since the day I was sworn in to ensure we don't repeat the decades-long mistakes that resulted in lost time and a lack of care for Vietnam War veterans and servicemembers and military families at Camp Lejeune," said Senator Tillis. "We face another crisis with toxic exposure from burn pits in Afghanistan and the Middle East that we need to get ahead of before it's too late, and I am proud we could get everyone at the table to discuss the way forward. I want to thank Chairman Moran, representatives from the Administration, and the VSOs for being a part of this discussion and I look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of the men and women in uniform who were exposed to toxins."

"Ensuring veterans have timely access to benefits and quality health care has always been a top priority of mine," said Chairman Moran. "However, veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances during the course of military service have faced barriers to get the VA care and service they deserve -- the burden of proof is significant, and we must find a way to bridge the gap."

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