Florida congressman co-sponsors new bills to eliminate burn pits and help vets

Veterans groups say exposure to the toxic fumes has left thousands of men and women with chronic health issues, including breathing problems and cancer. It’s also blamed for many deaths. Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis is Vice Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and he’s one of the sponsors of two bills aimed at dealing with the lasting effects of burn pits. One of the bills would eliminate burn pits completely and look for alternatives. The other is to redesign a registry to track veterans exposed to burn pits. The Department of Veterans Affairs says the fumes aren’t definitively linked to long-term effects, making it difficult for many vets to get health care.