Now is a crucial time for veterans affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
Congress is considering a vote on updates to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and Members of Congress should not play politics with this important issue. The bill numbers are S. 5257 in the Senate and H.R. 8545 in the House of Representatives. These vital pieces of legislation aim to address critical issues arising from the original Camp Lejeune Justice Act, enacted in 2022.
The updates would correct technical issues in the original version of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act which allows those exposed to the contaminated water to file a lawsuit and recover compensation for their injuries. Despite its intentions, the original bill faced unforeseen challenges in implementation. The new corrections act addresses these by clarifying claimants’ right to jury trials and establishing clear attorney fees in line with Department of Justice standards. It also extends jurisdiction for Camp Lejeune cases, aiming to alleviate the backlog of more than 100,000 Veterans’ claims and provide much-needed relief to affected families.
The original Camp Lejeune Justice Act was a landmark part of the PACT Act, allowing affected Veterans and civilians to file tort claims against the U.S. government for damages caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from 1953 to 1987. During this period, thousands of Servicemembers, their families, and civilian workers were exposed to harmful chemicals at levels 240 to 3,400 times above safety standards. This exposure has been linked to increased risks of serious health conditions, including various rare cancers, Parkinson’s disease, adverse birth outcomes, and more.
We represent Veterans grappling with service-connected toxic exposure, and their family members who were sickened from the water on the base as well. We strongly urge Congress to pass this critical legislation this year, as many of those exposed to the water are critically ill and can not wait any longer. The endorsement of H.R. 8545 and S. 5257 reflects a commitment to justice and support for those who have served our country–and their family members–and are now battling the long-term effects of toxic exposure, and those we have already lost. The Camp Lejeune Justice Corrections Act represents a crucial step in ensuring these veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.
