The annual defense policy bill has found itself at the center of a contentious debate over voting rules and compensation for victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. This situation has led to another episode of legislative deadlock, affecting veterans and their families.
On July 22, the House passed a $1.15 trillion defense measure. However, the bill faces challenges in the Senate due to several provisions that Democrats oppose. A short-term funding measure was approved by Senate leaders on August 2, giving Congress until December 11 to address broader spending conflicts.
Disputed Voting Measures
Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from North Carolina, opposed the House bill, citing the inclusion of the SAVE America Act by Republican leaders. This addition mandates stricter proof-of-citizenship for voter registration, which Ross termed as an act of “voter suppression.” She expressed concerns that this could potentially disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, including overseas service members and women in North Carolina whose legal names differ from their birth certificates.
Annette Weston, Public Radio East
Challenges to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Ross’s objections were not limited to voting measures. A bipartisan amendment she co-sponsored, which aimed to amend the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, was not allowed a floor vote by House Republican leaders. This amendment sought to provide quicker and fairer judicial reviews for those affected by the toxic water. Ross emphasized the constitutional right to a jury trial, asserting that some claimants may prefer to settle their cases outside of court.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation would enable cases to be heard in regional federal courts, such as those in South Carolina, rather than being concentrated in North Carolina’s Eastern District.
Veterans and Advocates Speak Out
Veterans and advocates feel personally impacted by the ongoing legislative impasse. Jerry Ensminger, a retired Marine Corps Master Sgt., has long campaigned for compensation for those exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. He criticized Sen. Dan Sullivan, a retired Marine Corps Reserve colonel, for allegedly prioritizing the Navy and Marine Corps over affected service members. Sullivan did not respond to interview requests.
Mike Partain, another advocate, expressed frustration over Sullivan’s lack of communication, despite efforts by North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’s staff to facilitate discussions. Partain stated that Sullivan’s concerns about attorney fees are unfounded, emphasizing that the legislation already aligns with Federal Tort Claims Act fee caps.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Related content: Widow of Camp Lejeune Marine: Battle with U.S. government over compensation for toxic water exposure is “cruel”
Financial Concerns Over Compensation
Critics of the Camp Lejeune compensation argue that payouts could be costly. The Congressional Budget Office estimates federal spending on settlements to exceed $21 billion, while the Department of Justice has cited claims valued at $330 trillion. However, advocates argue these figures are misleading and highlight the lack of foresight in addressing the contamination issue.
Partain criticized military leadership for their failure to address the contamination, stating, “Maybe you should have thought about how you’re going to pay for it when you didn’t follow regulations and you poisoned a million Marines.” Ensminger added that officials tried to hide the contamination and continued to supply toxic water.
Ross emphasized the ethical responsibility of addressing the situation, questioning, “How can you turn a blind eye to people who have served our country honorably and have been injured and died because of it?”
Despite the legal hurdles in Washington, advocacy efforts continue in North Carolina. Survivors and supporters are organizing a rally on August 19th at Jacksonville’s Freedom Fountain. More details can be found on the Lejeune Veterans for Justice Facebook page or by emailing the organizers.
