Urging the United States Congress to Enact Technical Amendments to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives hereby recognizes the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families; and

WHEREAS, From 1953 through 1987, individuals stationed at or residing on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were exposed to drinking water contaminated with hazardous chemicals, resulting in significant adverse health effects, including cancers, neurological disorders, and other serious illnesses; and

WHEREAS, In response to this injustice, the Congress of the United States enacted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 as part of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, thereby creating a cause of action to allow affected individuals to seek appropriate relief for injuries and wrongful death; and

WHEREAS, Since its enactment, hundreds of thousands of claims have been filed, revealing significant administrative and judicial challenges, including delays in claim processing, uncertainty in applicable legal standards, and barriers to timely resolution; and

WHEREAS, Technical amendments to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act have been proposed in the Congress of the United States, including the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act, to clarify evidentiary standards, improve efficiency in adjudication, and ensure that claimants receive fair and timely consideration of their claims; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of justice and fairness that Congress act promptly to address these issues and fulfill the original intent of providing meaningful relief to those harmed by toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby urges the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to make necessary technical amendments to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 in order to ensure the efficient, fair, and expeditious resolution of claims; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and to each member of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation.