House Passes Dr. Ruiz's Burn Pits Priorities as Part of Defense Package

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) to address the military's use of toxic burn pits and help educate veterans on benefits they may be entitled to as a result of their service near burn pits as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. Dr. Ruiz's bipartisan provisions will help pave a future free from burn pits and expand outreach programs to service members transitioning home on the impacts of toxic exposure and benefits that are available to them.

"Our nation's service members are exposed to open air burn pits, potentially breathing in toxic fumes and carcinogens from burning batteries, jet fuel, and medical waste," said Dr. Ruiz. "To protect the health of our men and women in uniform, we must end the use of burn pits for good and ensure our service members can access the care they need when they return home. My priorities in this year's defense bill meet those needs by pushing the DOD to identify alternatives to burn pits and providing toxic-exposed service members with the resources they need to seek care. I am glad to see these provisions pass the House, and I will continue fighting on behalf of our nation's veterans to get this legislation signed into law."

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