{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/in-rome-gillibrand-announces-legislation-to-address-epidemic-of-traumatic-brain-injuries-in-service-members-and-veterans/", "In Rome, Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Address Epidemic Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Service Members And Veterans", "2024-09-23", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "gillibrand", "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of firing their own weapons, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2246 in Rome to announce legislation to address traumatic brain injuries among service members and veterans.\n\nService members who regularly fire heavy weapons are at increased risk of brain injury as a result of repeated exposure to explosions or blasts 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. At least a dozen Navy SEALs who have died by suicide over the past decade were later found to have suffered blast injuries, and many more service members have complained of health issues after blast exposure. Despite this, the Pentagon has struggled to properly investigate the impact of blast overpressure, effectively track the prevalence of blast overpressure-related injuries, or offer appropriate care to service members and veterans. Gillibrand is calling for more research and better treatment for those affected.\n\nGillibrand was joined by VFW Post 2246 Post Commander Will Ginter; VFW Department of NY Legislative Chair Ann Marie Hogancamp; VFW Department of NY District 4 Commander Matthew VanEtten; and Mayor of Rome Jeff Lanigan.\n\n\u201cAfter repeatedly being exposed to blasts from their own weapons during both training and combat, our service members are sustaining severe and crippling brain trauma,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cThis bill will require the DoD to investigate the prevalence and causes of these brain injuries; to track each service member\u2019s exposure to blasts; and to help service members access care. This is a critical bill and I look forward to getting it passed in the NDAA.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Blast Overpressure Safety Act is an integral piece of legislation to assist our service members and veterans and to take preventative measures for their health and safety,\u201d said VFW Department of NY Legislative Chair Ann Marie Hogancamp. \u201cThank you Senator Gillibrand for pushing this bill and continuing to fight for our service members and veterans.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"]], "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/in-rome-gillibrand-announces-legislation-to-address-epidemic-of-traumatic-brain-injuries-in-service-members-and-veterans/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9047821406275034, "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"}