I'm pleased to share some good news for our veterans.
For the past two years, I've been working on a bill to help service members who were exposed to toxic fumes from open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This week, the Senate unanimously approved our bill as part of a larger veterans package.
National Guardsman MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria of Albuquerque told me about Jessey's battle with cancer, PTSD and numerous other ailments believed to have been caused by exposure to burn pits while he was deployed in Iraq.
The Bacas became staunch advocates for more awareness about burn pits and better care for veterans, and I have been proud to push this bill on their behalf.
This week's victory belongs to them, and the many other military families who deserve proper care and answers after serving our country so bravely.
Passing our bill could not have been achieved without the bipartisan support of Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, and our own Senator Jeff Bingaman, who cosponsored the measure with me.
This bill is now in the hands of the House of Representatives, where it also has bipartisan support, including the entire New Mexico delegation. The House already approved the burn pits registry as part of a different bill this year, and I hope they can act again quickly so military families, medical professionals and the Department of Defense can gather the information they need to provide our veterans with proper care.
