FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Green Requests Update From DOD and VA on Trump 2021 K2 Veteran Executive Order
Read more from Catherine Herridge who broke the news on X, @C_Herridge.
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mark Green, a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, sent letters to Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins requesting an update on a study mandated by President Trump on the toxic exposure of veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad (Camp Stronghold Freedom or K2) during the War on Terror between 2001-2005.
Rep. Green said, “The first K2 veterans stepped foot on base in 2001. Since then, these men and women have battled severe illnesses, and some have died, waiting for answers and medical care. This is abhorrent, and a complete breakdown of the promise we make to our servicemembers: ‘You serve, and we will take care of you when you come home.’ For more than two decades, K2 veterans have suffered because of the toxic exposure on base. This demands our unwavering support.”
Green continued, “Following my FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment and CBS’ Catherine Herridge’s investigative reporting, President Trump ordered a comprehensive study on toxic exposure experienced by K2 veterans. Secretaries Hegseth and Collins have the opportunity to act for the veterans who have been ignored for so long.”
Read an excerpt of the letter to Secretary Collins:
“We know that President Donald Trump has the back of K2 veterans. On his last day in the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, modeled after my bipartisan legislation, mandating the DOD recognize toxic exposure as combat related for veterans who served at K2.”
“After President Trump mandated this study, it is unclear if the Biden administration ever followed through. Neither that administration's Pentagon nor VA secretaries could produce to Congress any substantial evidence of having completed either the assessment or the epidemiological study. Even when pressed by the Stronghold Freedom Foundation, an organization defending the interests of K2 servicemembers, they produced only mechanical responses saying the departments satisfied the order's requirement; although, they could not explain how or when. In March of 2021, I joined a bipartisan group of Members in requesting that President Biden follow through with efforts to study the toxic exposure. The bipartisan letter, signed by 18 House members, requested President Biden also continue to advance the policies of Executive Order 13982. Unfortunately, we were ignored.”
Among many questions, Rep. Green asked, “How many K2 veterans have died from toxic exposure related illnesses since withdrawing from K2? From cancer? From other illnesses?”
Read the letter to Secretary Collins here.
Read an excerpt of the letter to Secretary Hegseth:
“With President Trump back in office, I’d like to encourage you to complete the study he ordered as one of his last acts before leaving office and Congress required in the FY2021 NDAA. Between 2001 and 2005, the United States Army and Air Force used Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (also known as K2 or Camp Stronghold Freedom) as a base of operations and launch point during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. During this period, many servicemembers kept private records of the hazardous conditions of the base while others have come before Congress to testify on these conditions. Years later, countless veterans have reported cases of cancer and other deadly health conditions following their service at K2. However, for years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has denied care to many of these veterans. Some of them have already lost their lives.”
“Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am honored to do my part for my fellow patriots and their families who have dealt with the fallout of this oversight for years. Hopefully, with your help, we can ensure this never again happens to the brave Americans who are willing to go wherever they are needed to fight for this country.”
Among many questions, Rep. Green asks, “Did the Biden administration begin a study on K2 toxic exposure per the requirement to do so per the mandates in President Trump’s executive order? If this study was not conducted, is there a reason?”
Read the letter to Secretary Hegseth here.
Background:
Between 2001 and 2005, the United States Army and Air Force used Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (also known as K2 or Camp Stronghold Freedom) as a base of operations and launch point during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. During this period, many servicemembers kept private records of the hazardous conditions of the base, while others have come before Congress to testify on these conditions. Years later, countless veterans have reported cases of cancer and other deadly health conditions following their service at K2. However, for years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has denied care to many of these veterans. Some of them have already lost their lives. In 2024, CBS News and Catherine Herridge obtained military records that dive deeper into the hazards at K2 regarding radiation readings. Among those hazards include refined uranium known as yellowcake. Many survivors remember seeing yellowcake uranium on base. According to CBS’ reporting, more than 200 female K2 veterans have come forward citing reproductive issues that range from cervical and uterine cancers, miscarriages, and chronic pain—including endometriosis. Following this groundbreaking reporting, the Trump administration endeavored to make things right. On his last day in the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, modeled after Rep. Green’s bipartisan K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020. The executive order requested that the Secretary of Defense recognize Uzbekistan as a combat zone for purposes of medical care and mandated a comprehensive study of any health consequences related to toxic exposure at the base. As far as Congress is aware, this promised study has yet to be completed, despite claiming it would only take 12-18 months.
Rep. Green’s Fight for K2 Veterans:
Read about the K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025 here, the 2024 version of the bill here, and Catherine Herridge’s exclusive here.
Read Rep. Green’s letter urging the Department of Defense (DOD) to complete a study on the toxic exposure of Karshi-Khanabad (K2) veterans during the War on Terror as mandated by his amendment in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) after the Biden administration neglected to do so for four years.
K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020:
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February 27, 2020: Reps. Green and Lynch introduce the K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020. Read about this bill in ABC News and McClatchy DC
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April 28, 2020: Rep. Green’s Statement on VA Action to Study Veterans’ Toxic Exposure at K2 Air Base
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October 16, 2020: Reps. Green, Lynch, and Gabbard send bipartisan letter, urging inclusion of K2 bill in FY2021 NDAA
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December 3, 2020: Rep. Green’s K2 legislation included in the final FY21 NDAA
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December 16, 2020: Rep. Green’s Statement on New Defense Executive Order for K2 Veterans
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January 19, 2021: President Trump used Rep. Green’s K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020 as a template for his executive order requesting that the Secretary of Defense recognize Uzbekistan as a combat zone for purposes of medical care. Read the reporting from CBS’ Catherine Herridge and Jessica Kegu here.
K2 Veterans Care Act:
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February 25, 2021: A bicameral, bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the K2 Veterans Care Act. Read more from News Channel 5 Nashville’s Alexandra Koehn.
Additional Actions:
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February 6, 2020: Rep. Green testifies before the House Oversight Committee hearing on K2 veterans
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March 11, 2025: Rep. Green votes to continue the Trump administration’s progress.
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Fox News op-ed: “Veterans Day reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted”
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CNN op-ed: “The veterans who need Congress to act in 2021”
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Tennessean op-ed: “Veterans Exposed to Cancer-Causing Chemicals at K2 Air Base Deserve Justice”
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ClarksvilleNow op-ed: “Let’s ensure K2 veterans receive medical care they need and deserve.”
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