Washblog

Amendment to H.R. 5122, as Reported
Offered by Mr. McDermott of Washington
and Mr. Shays of Connecticut

At the end of subtitle B of title IV (page 268, after line 9), add the following new section:

SEC. 716. STUDY OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM

(a)    STUDY. -The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct a comprehensive study of the health effects of exposure to depleted uranium munitions on uranium-exposed soldiers and on children of uranium-exposed soldiers who were born after the exposure of the uranium-exposed soldiers to depleted uranium.
(b)    URANIUM-EXPOSED SOLDIERS.--In this section, the term "uranium-exposed soldiers" means a member or former member of the Armed Forces who handled, came in contact with, or had the likelihood of contact with depleted uranium munitions while on active duty, including members and former members who--
(1)    were exposed to smoke from fires resulting from the burning of vehicles containing depleted uranium munitions or fires at depots at which depleted uranium munitions were stored;
(2)    worked within environments containing depleted uranium dust or residues from depleted uranium munitions;
(3)    were within a structure or vehicle while it was struck by a depleted uranium munition;
(4)    climbed on or entered equipment or structures struck by a depleted uranium munition; or
(5)    were medical personnel who provided initial treatment to members of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4).

Rep. McDermott has long been concerned about the possible long-term health consequences of exposure to depleted uranium. He has introduced depleted uranium study bills in the last two Congresses, the last of which was HR 2410. Representatives McKinney (D-GA) and Serrano (D-NY) have also introduced depleted uranium bills. All of these bills have languished in the Republican-controlled House. However, with Rep. Shays as co-sponsor, Rep. McDermott managed to get his amendment passed this week.

The amendment represents a big step forward for those who believe we need better scientific understanding of the long-term health effects of depleted uranium exposure. Nonetheless, the bill raises some interesting questions:

• How much funding will there be for the "comprehensive study" of depleted uranium exposure?
  
• Which agencies and/or contractors will conduct the studies?
  
• How will the outstanding data gaps be identified and how will study funds be prioritized and allocated?

Senator Cantwell identified some of the most important data gaps in her recent letter to Sec. Rumsfeld. If the McDermott-Shays amendment is passed in the Senate, my hope is that Sen. Cantwell's questions about depleted uranium will help guide the Department of Defense (DoD) in structuring a "comprehensive study." While I understand that many will view any DoD-sponsored study with great skepticism, I still think it's worth supporting the McDermott-Shays amendment. Any scientific study published on the long-term health effects of depleted uranium exposure will be rigorously critiqued by the scientific community, and we'll have the opportunity to press for adequate follow-up studies.

For those who care about the depleted uranium issue and want to support Rep. McDermott's amendment, I would recommend calling the offices of both of our senators. I believe both Sen. Murray and Sen. Cantwell are ready to support funding for a comprehensive depleted uranium study.  In the case of Sen. Cantwell, I would recommend first thanking her for taking a stand on depleted uranium here, and then asking her to support funding for a comprehensive depleted uranium study as part of the Senate version of the Defense Authorization bill.

With some strong support from the Washington delegation on this issue and with a little luck, perhaps we'll see the Congress finally require that the DoD sponsor the scientific studies we need to understand better the long-term consequences of using depleted uranium munitions. We owe it to the servicemembers who have put their lives and limbs on the line in Iraq, and we owe it to the Iraqi people themselves.

Here is Rep. McDermott's press release on the amendment:

House Passes Rep. McDermott Amendment

Possible DU Health Effects on Soldiers Will Be Studied

For Immediate Release, May 11, 2006

After years of relentless and unwavering efforts, including speeches, interviews, news conferences, working with groups like Physicians for Social Responsibility, and even appearing on a song in a newly released Punk Rock album, in order to raise public awareness, the House of Representatives today passed legislation (DoD Authorization) that includes an amendment by Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-D) ordering a comprehensive study on possible health effects from exposure to depleted uranium on U.S. soldiers and their children.

"As long and winding as the road has been to get where we are today, this is only the beginning- but this is a great day because we have taken the first step to defend the U.S. soldiers who protect and defend us," McDermott said.

Shortly after passage, Rep. McDermott received a letter from James King, the national executive director of AMVETS, the American Veterans organization:  

"This is a very important issue for AMVETS and its membership.  Our ultimate goal is to provide atomic veterans with the tools necessary to file a claim and be considered for due compensation. Your amendment will help begin this process.  

"Again, thank you for your amendment and your support of veterans and their families."  

Rep. McDermott has spent several years working to get the House to study DU.  He explained the reason behind his passionate advocacy for the issue in this way:

"For me, this is a personal, not political, quest.  My professional life turned from medicine to politics after my service in the U.S. Navy during the 1960s, when I treated combat soldiers returning from Vietnam.  

"Back then, the Pentagon denied that Agent Orange posed any danger to U.S. soldiers who were exposed.   Decades later, the truth finally emerged.  Agent Orange harmed our soldiers.  It made thousands sick and some died.   During all those years of denial, we stood by and did nothing while soldiers suffered.  No more Agent Orange!

"If DU poses no danger, we need to prove it with statistically valid, and independent scientific studies. If DU harms our soldiers, we all need to know it, and act quickly as any doctor would, to use all of our power to heal the sick.  We owe our soldiers a full measure of the truth, wherever that leads us."

The amendment to undertake a comprehensive study of possible health effects to soldiers from exposure to depleted uranium was contained in the Department of Defense Authorization Bill, which passed the House on Thursday evening.

Depleted uranium is a by-product of the uranium enrichment process.  Because it is very dense, the U.S. military uses DU for munitions like armor-piercing bullets and tank shells, and as a protective shield around tanks.  When used in munitions, DU pulverizes into a fine dust upon impact; it can hang in the air, be inhaled or seep into the soil.

During the Gulf War, the U.S. military used approximately 300 metric tons of DU as munitions.  To date in the Iraq War, approximately 150 metric tons have been used.  During conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro, about 12 metric tons were used.  (A metric ton is slightly more than 2,200 pounds.)

In addition to its own use, the United States has provided or sold DU and DU munitions to several other nations.

-30-

Mike DeCesare

Communications Director

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)

Seattle:       206-553-7170

Fax:            206-553-7175

Cell:            509-954-9187

DC Office:  202-225-3106

Fax:            202-225-6197

1809 7th Avenue, Suite 1212

Seattle, WA 98101-1399

1035 Longworth Building

Washington, DC 20515