Bill > HR6026

This Resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States (POTUS) to enact into law the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015, specifically referencing Senate Bill S. 901 and House Bill H.R. 1769. The resolution highlights that many U.S. military veterans have been exposed to harmful toxins during their service, leading to unknown health consequences for themselves and potentially their children and grandchildren, who may be born with birth defects. It notes that these birth anomalies are often not adequately tracked or researched, even in state birth defect registries, and that existing federal tracking of toxic exposures lacks sufficient follow-up research. The proposed Act aims to address this by requiring the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to share data on toxic exposures, establishing a national center within the Department of Veterans Affairs for researching and diagnosing health conditions in descendants of exposed veterans, and creating a comprehensive database of birth defects and anomalies. The context for this resolution is the recognition of the significant emotional and financial burdens faced by families affected by these exposures, exemplified by the health problems and birth defects linked to Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam veterans, and the importance of research for proper diagnosis and care.