Peters Cosponsors Bill Researching Effects of Toxic Exposure to Children and Grandchildren of Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has cosponsored The Toxic Exposure Research Act, bipartisan legislation that would support research into health conditions faced by the children and grandchildren of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service, including Agent Orange. Michigan is home to over 650,000 veterans, including more than 50,000 Post-9/11 veterans, and approximately 240,000 from the Vietnam War – more than any other era.
“The men and women who serve our country in uniform put their lives on the line in defense of our nation not expecting that family members might suffer from exposure to toxic substances long after their loved one’s military service is complete,” said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “I’ve heard from many Michiganders who have expressed concern about the longer-term effects of exposure to toxic substances stemming from a relative’s service, and I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation that will help investigate this exposure and get military families the answers they deserve.”
The Toxic Exposure Research Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a VA medical facility as the national center for research into the diagnosis and treatment of the health conditions experienced by the family members of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. These substances include Agent Orange, Gulf War neurotoxins, and chemical weapons used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, this bill would allow the Department of Defense to declassify certain incidents of exposure to toxic substances, and would create a national outreach campaign to educate veterans about the potential longer-term effects of these substances.
The legislation has the support of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), the American Veterans (AMVETS), the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
“America’s servicemembers have sacrificed so much to defend our country, and it is extremely troubling that exposure to substances like Agent Orange during their service is impacting their children and grandchildren today,” said Phil Smith, State Council of Michigan Vietnam Veterans of America. “We thank Senator Peters for supporting this bill, which is an important step towards upholding America's promises to not only Vietnam Veterans and their families, but also future generations of servicemembers and their loved ones exposed to toxic substances while living and working both abroad and on military bases in the U.S."
Many of the symptoms from toxic exposure are frequently misdiagnosed in descendants of veterans due to a lack of understanding and scientific proof. However, veterans have observed increased levels of cancers, birth defects and other conditions in their subsequent generations. The evidence of these wounds of war afflicting the children and grandchildren of servicemembers exposed to toxins is growing, and research is warranted to collect data and study this issue. The goal of this medical research is to determine the conditions that result from debilitating toxins and hopefully lead to the appropriate support and benefits veterans and family members deserve.
Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, has been a strong voice for Michigan’s veterans and servicemembers in Congress. Earlier this year, Peters introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure due process for veterans who may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge from the military, rather than an honorable discharge, due to behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In May, Peters cosponsored legislation to ensure Vietnam veterans who served aboard deep-water naval vessels, known as “Blue Water” veterans, are eligible to receive the disability and health care benefits they earned for diseases linked to exposure to Agent Orange.
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