WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Denny Rehberg (R-MT) introduced legislation that would provide healthcare to veterans who were unknowingly subjected to biological and chemical weapons tests conducted in the 1960s and 70s.

The existence of these tests, known as Project 112, including Project SHAD, was denied by the Department of Defense (DoD), despite reports from participating veterans that they were being stricken with unusual diseases.  The DoD now acknowledges that the tests took place, but the Veterans Administration (VA) will not provide these veterans with health benefits and compensation for their diseases.  The Thompson-Rehberg 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.

“For ten years, I’ve been fighting to get the government to acknowledge that these extremely dangerous tests made some of our brave veterans sick and even caused some of their deaths,” said Thompson.  “These men risked their lives for their country, and in return, their government treated them like guinea pigs and has for years turned its back on them.  This legislation will make sure they don’t have to wait any longer for the help they need and deserve.”

“Project 112 is one test the Department of Defense has undoubtedly flunked,” said Rehberg.  “Now, these brave men and women who served our country have been left to suffer.  These veterans deserve quality healthcare and recognition by their government that it understands what they’ve had to go through.  This bill is a great step toward that.”

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.

Normally, a veteran must provide proof of a connection between service and the health condition being claimed.  This bill would provide veterans of Project 112 a “Presumption of Service Connection,” which means that the VA presumes the relationship between service and a health condition is based on the other criteria, such as dates and location of service.  For example, veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War are already given a “Presumption of Service Connection.”

In addition, this bill 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.

The Thompson-Rehberg legislation has been endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

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