FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Green Urges Trump DOD to Complete Studies on K2 Veteran Toxic Exposure After Refusal from Biden Admin
Read the exclusive by Morgan Phillips in Fox News here
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mark Green, a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and cancer survivor, sent a 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.
Read excerpts from the letter to Secretary of the Department of Defense Pete Hegseth:
“The K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act instructed the Department of Defense to conduct a study and report on the toxic exposure experienced by the servicemembers who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2), also known as Camp Stronghold Freedom, in Uzbekistan between 2001-2005. Congress mandated the report be completed within 180 days; it has been over four years.”
“Because this study has yet to be completed (as far as Congress is aware), many K2 veterans are still waiting to receive much needed care. This is unjust. There were repeated warnings at Camp Stronghold Freedom that servicemembers were being exposed to toxins, and yet their health and safety were ignored by the Pentagon leadership of that day.”
Read the letter 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.
Legislative Efforts:
Read about the K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025 here.
K2 Veterans Toxic Exposure Accountability Act of 2020:
- 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
- April 28, 2020: Rep. Green’s Statement on VA Action to Study Veterans’ Toxic Exposure at K2 Air Base
- October 16, 2020: Reps. Green, Lynch, and Gabbard send bipartisan letter, urging inclusion of K2 bill in FY2021 NDAA
- December 3, 2020: Rep. Green’s K2 legislation included in the final FY21 NDAA
- December 16, 2020: Rep. Green’s Statement on New Defense Executive Order for K2 Veterans
- 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.
K2 Veterans Care Act:
- 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:
- February 6, 2020: Rep. Green testifies before the House Oversight Committee hearing on K2 veterans
- August 8, 2024: Rep. Green introduces the K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2024
- March 11, 2025: Rep. Green votes to continue the Trump administration’s progress
Read More:
- Fox News op-ed: “Veterans Day reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted”
- CNN op-ed: “The veterans who need Congress to act in 2021”
- Tennessean op-ed: “Veterans Exposed to Cancer-Causing Chemicals at K2 Air Base Deserve Justice”
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