The bill introduced by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, would provide health care and benefits to as many as 3.5 million veterans believed to have been exposed to toxic material. Under the measure, VA would presume that war veterans were exposed to burn pits if they develop any of 23 cancers or respiratory illnesses after deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries that house U.S. troops.

Source: Washington Post May 26, 2021 22:43 UTC