{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-announces-passage-of-key-provisions-of-her-legislation-to-address-epidemic-of-traumatic-brain-injuries-in-service-members-and-veterans/", "Gillibrand Announces Passage Of Key Provisions Of Her Legislation To Address Epidemic Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Service Members And Veterans", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "gillibrand", "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, held a video press conference announcing that major provisions of her legislation to protect service members from traumatic brain injuries are included in this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed the Senate this week.\n\n\u201cFor years, our service members have been sustaining severe and crippling brain trauma as a result of firing their own weapons, but the Department of Defense has failed to properly investigate or address their injuries,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have fought to get the core of my Blast Overpressure Safety Act included in this year\u2019s NDAA to finally get service members the care they need. These provisions will require the DoD to investigate the prevalence of blast overpressure brain injuries, standardize care across the Department of Defense, and take steps to mitigate service members\u2019 blast exposure. I look forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law.\u201d\n\nGillibrand introduced the Blast Overpressure Safety Act following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of repeated exposure to explosions from their own weapons and explosives \u2013 otherwise known as blast overpressure. These brain injuries can cause depression, anxiety, cognitive problems, hallucinations, panic attacks, violent outbursts, suicidal tendencies, psychiatric disorders, dementia, and a variety of other serious health problems.\n\nSpecifically, the provisions of the Blast Overpressure Safety Act included in the NDAA would:\n\nMinimize exposure to blast overpressure by:\n\nRequiring the Secretary of Defense to establish limits for blast exposure and overpressure.\n\nRequiring modification of existing weapons systems to reduce blast exposure.\n\nRequiring performance parameters to minimize exposure to blast overpressure when drafting requirements for new weapons systems and new acquisitions programs.\n\nImprove treatment and access to care by:\n\nEstablishing a standardized treatment program for blast overpressure and programs to encourage service members to seek TBI treatment.\n\nEstablishing a brain health and trauma program to provide evaluations and treatment to service members who have been exposed to blast overpressure.\n\nEstablishing a Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health, which will provide care, standardize care, and support research related to TBI and brain health.\n\nRequiring a report on the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative that includes information on resources spent, number of impacted service members, and number of service members receiving treatment.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "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://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-announces-passage-of-key-provisions-of-her-legislation-to-address-epidemic-of-traumatic-brain-injuries-in-service-members-and-veterans/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.288887742906809, "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"}