K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

R GreenSponsor

78 cosponsors · 38 D, 40 R

R McMorris Rodgers TM

1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

This bill addresses toxic exposure of members of the Armed Forces deployed to Karshi-Khanabad (K-2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between October 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Feb 25, 2020

K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020

This bill addresses toxic exposure of members of the Armed Forces deployed to Karshi-Khanabad (K-2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between October 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a study and report on such exposure. Based on the results of the study, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must determine (1) whether a positive association exists between such exposure and the occurrence of a diagnosed illness in humans, and (2) whether a presumption of service-connection is warranted. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

If the VA determines a presumption of service-connection is not warranted, notice must be published and include an explanation of the basis for the determination. The bill also requires the VA to remove previous presumptions if evidence indicates such presumption is not warranted.

The bill requires the VA to establish and maintain a registry for individuals who were deployed to K-2 during the specified time frame.

Finally, DOD must provide access to information upon request by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for purposes of a study regarding the effects of exposure to toxic substances at K-2.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020

Latest action (Feb 25, 2020): Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Feb 25, 2020

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.