WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced a bill in Congress today to ensure military personnel are informed if they have been subjected to potentially harmful materials or contaminants.

 

“When we send American soldiers overseas we have a responsibility to protect their health and safety,” said Schrader. “Our responsibility to these soldiers does not end when they leave the combat zone – our responsibility to them and their families is a lifelong commitment.”

 

Schrader’s bill will require the U.S. Department of Defense to notify affected service personnel in writing if they have been subjected to potentially harmful materials or contaminants.

 

The legislation was inspired by members of the Oregon National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 162nd Infantry Division, some of whom were exposed to hexavalent chromium at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Iraq in 2003.  The Qarmat Ali incident was one of many incidents where American service members had been exposed to hazardous materials in Iraq. Congressman Schrader’s bill is critical because the Oregon National Guard is currently having trouble notifying all affected members. Schrader’s bill will ensure that future personnel are informed in a timely manner.  

 

“This legislation is particularly timely when we consider 3,000 of our bravest, members of the Oregon National Guard, are due to deploy to Iraq in the coming weeks,” said Schrader.

 

Congressman Schrader has also joined with Representative Baron Hill (D-IN) to introduce a bill that would require the Department of Defense to establish a registry of soldiers and veterans that may have been exposed to harmful chemicals while deployed overseas. This registry would be similar to the “Agent Orange” registry designed in 1978 by the Veterans Administration for Vietnam War veterans. The new legislation, which has a companion measure in the Senate, will create a registry of members and former members of the armed forces who, in the line of duty, may have been exposed to hazardous chemicals. It will also make individuals eligible for medical examinations and tests related to the chemicals.

 

The Schrader/Hill measure will be introduced in the House in the coming weeks.