The bill requires the Pentagon to provide detailed health reports to Congress.
Members of the House are questioning the conclusion by the U.S. intelligence community that the Havana syndrome was not caused by a U.S. adversary. The Havana syndrome, so named because symptoms were first reported by State Department officials in Cuba, are anomalous health incidents that include symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, vertigo, and difficulties with hearing, vision, memory, and cognition. Since the initial reports of these symptoms, U.S. intelligence and military officials in several nations have experienced similar health issues.
Representative Abigail Spanberger of Virginia introduced the Initiating Imperative Reporting on Anomalous Health Incidents Act which has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee. The bill would require the Defense Department to provide new detailed information on both confirmed and suspected anomalous health incidents to the Senate and House of Representatives.
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said, “Usually, where there is smoke, there is a fire, and since 2016, we’ve seen too many documented cases of unexplained medical symptoms affecting our diplomats and intelligence officers stationed around the world. We need to hear from the Department of Defense about how many this has affected and what they are doing to treat and better protect our people stationed overseas.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the House as they seek to determine the nature and extent of the anomalous health incidents.
- For officials in the Defense Department and intelligence community to ensure the well-being of U.S. staff and personnel.
- For representatives in the House Armed Services Committee as they review the proposed legislation.
Sources: Defense Scoop, NY Times
