[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

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                               speech of

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Chair, it has been over 10 years since the start 
of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and I fear we are still not 
properly addressing traumatic brain injury, also known as ``the 
signature injury of the war.'' I would like to thank Chairman McKeon 
and Ranking Member Smith for their commitment to this issue in recent 
authorizations. I would also like to thank Mr. Thompson for his 
cosponsorship of my first amendment.
  Over the last few years, Congress has continued to emphasize the 
importance of this issue and has made funds available for the 
identification and treatment of brain injuries in our soldiers. It is 
important these funds be used wisely to ensure that our men and women 
in uniform are getting timely and proper care. A January 2012 GAO 
report highlighted the need to coordinate TBI and psychological health 
activities within the Department.
  In the National Defense Authorization for FY 2013, Congress mandated 
that the Secretary of Defense submit a plan to Congress that would 
improve coordination and integration of the programs that address 
traumatic brain injury and psychological health of members of the Armed 
Forces. Specifically, this report would require the identification of 
gaps in services and treatments, a plan for addressing any gaps or 
redundancies and identifying an official to lead the implementation of 
any changes. This report is due in July of this year, and my amendment 
underscores the importance of this mandated report, and strongly urges 
the Secretary to deliver it to Congress within the appropriate 
timeframe.
  My second amendment addresses the continuing issue of identification 
of traumatic brain injuries. Although the Department of Defense has 
made a strong commitment to identifying, and treating those men and 
women who have suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving our 
Nation, there are still problems with screening our troops.
  In June 2010, a memorandum issued by the Department of Defense made a 
50- meter distance from an explosion the criterion to identify, refer, 
and treat members for potential traumatic brain injury in theater. 
However, the Department of Defense has yet to address those service 
members who may have been exposed to a blast prior to that time. Many 
of these soldiers remain on active duty and we must ensure they are 
tested and treated. My amendment mandates a report on how the Secretary 
of Defense will identify, refer, and treat possible traumatic brain 
injuries with respect to members of the Armed Forces who served in 
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom prior to June 
2010. This is a vitally important report for ensuring the health of our 
troops. I ask that my colleagues support these amendments for those 
service members who are struggling with invisible wounds.

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