{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413396", "Smith measure required report in response to death of Kyle Mullen IG report notes some improvements but admonishes Navy to reassess medical capabilities at Hell Week", "2024-10-28", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher H. Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", "chrissmith", "https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In a new report mandated by legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General (IG) noted improvements made following Kyle Mullen\u2019s death but admonished the Navy to \u201creassess\u201d the \u201cmedical capabilities\u201d at the Navy SEALs Hell Week training, raising serious questions over whether their medical and communications equipment can \u201cprovide the appropriate standard of care\u201d and if their medical staffing requirements \u201cmeet clinical demand.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe new policies following Kyle\u2019s death are welcomed, yet they underscore the grave unnecessary risks that SEAL candidates faced before the critical changes were implemented,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cSignificantly, the IG report reinforces the findings of the Navy\u2019s May 2023 command investigation into Kyle\u2019s death, which cited \u2018failures across multiple systems that led to a number of candidates being at high risk of serious injury,\u2019 including \u2018wholly inadequate\u2019 medical monitoring and care during and after Hell Week,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThe IG report shows that unnecessary health and safety risks existed and notes that some\u2014but not all\u2014of these failures have been addressed in the wake of the Mullen tragedy.\u201d\n\nProactive Pneumonia Safety Measure. Acute pneumonia was determined to be the cause of Kyle\u2019s death in February 2022. According to the IG, one new policy implemented by the Navy following Kyle\u2019s death was that they now administer prophylactic antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections including cellulitis and pneumonia. Also, one or two medical personnel are now required to be on-site for all Hell Week evolutions.\n\nAdditionally, the IG reports that \u201cone of the biggest improvements for SEAL candidates\u201d is the Recovery Observation Center (ROC), which it says was established in August 2023 \u201cto provide closer medical oversight of candidates during Hell Week and when Hell Week is complete.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is clear as day that there were significant medical shortfalls and lapses when Kyle Mullen and others were training during Hell Week in 2022, and the change is good,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut now, almost three years after Kyle\u2019s death, the IG is still raising significant questions about appropriate standard of care and the Navy\u2019s ability to meet the clinical needs for the brave men who enter this rigorous training program.\u201d\n\nThe Navy now has 90 days to respond to the proposed recommendations made by the Inspector General following their evaluation.\n\nNamed the \u201cKyle Mullen Naval Safety Enhancements,\u201d Smith\u2019s measure was passed by the House of Representatives in July 2022 and incorporated as Section 745 of the final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263). The revised provisions directed the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review and report its recommendations for improved medical care and oversight of Navy SEAL training.\n\nSmith said the IG report and the continued push for further improvements would not be possible without Kyle\u2019s mother Regina\u2014a registered nurse\u2014and her dedication to ensuring that no other parent must endure her pain.\n\n\u201cRegina\u2019s courageous and relentless advocacy in the face of untold suffering has resulted in direct improvements for those who are training for some of our Nation\u2019s most critical missions,\u201d said Smith.\n\n\u201cThe incredibly tough, brave young men who step up to serve our great Nation deserve the best medical care and attention we can provide,\u201d Smith said. \u201cRegina\u2019s heroic work will no doubt save other young men from injury and even death.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413396"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7569221779704094, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}