[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BURN PITS CAUCUS

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, while serving our country, many of our brave 
men and women were exposed to large plumes of black smoke and cancer-
causing toxins from the burning of waste, chemicals, and plastics in 
burn pits. Now veterans from across the country who have no other risk 
factors are developing terminal cancer, leaving their families to 
wonder why, families of heroes like Jenn Kepner's, a 39-year-old Air 
Force veteran who died of pancreatic cancer late last year.
  That is why today I am proud to announce the bipartisan Congressional 
Burn Pits Caucus, to help seek answers for our heroes exposed to burn 
pits. Representative Brad Wenstrup and I have started this caucus 
because bureaucratic red tape at the VA and the DOD is denying our 
veterans the answers they deserve and the care they need.
  We can't afford to wait. I urge every Democratic and Republican alike 
to join the Congressional Burn Pits Caucus and start fighting for our 
veterans to get the care they need and deserve.

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