WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg announced today that legislation he introduced with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), which would provide healthcare to veterans who were unknowingly subjected to biological and chemical weapons tests conducted in the 1960s and 70s, has been scheduled for a hearing before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

“This is great news for all of the Project 112 veterans who’ve waited decades to receive proper healthcare,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “It’s obvious we’ve gotten the committee’s ear and they’re interested in finally righting this wrong.  I look forward to the opportunity to have my bill heard before the committee next week.”

The hearing is scheduled for June 12 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Testifying at the hearing will be Rehberg, Thompson, Administration officials, affected veterans, and members of several supporting veterans’ services organizations including the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and American Veteran (AMVETS).  The Chairman of the Committee, Bob Filner (D-CA), is a cosponsor of the bill.

Project 112, which included Project SHAD, was conducted between 1963 and 1973 by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.  During these projects, a number of weapons containing chemical and biological agents such as VX nerve gas, Sarin Nerve Gas and E. Coli were tested on unknowing military personnel.

The existence of these tests was denied by the Department of Defense (DoD), despite reports from participating veterans that they were being stricken with unusual diseases.  Though the DoD now acknowledges that the tests took place, the Veterans Administration (VA) will not provide these veterans with health benefits and compensation for their diseases.  The Rehberg-Thompson legislation would require the VA to assume the toxins used in the weapons tests caused injury to the veterans, making them eligible for medical benefits and/or compensation for their conditions.

The bill also instructs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within 180 days of enactment, to notify all veterans of potential exposure to the biological or chemical weapons used in Project 112 and Project SHAD.  A Government Accountability Office report (GAO-04-410) issued in May of 2004 concluded that a substantial number of veterans still remain unaware that tests were conducted on them.

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