Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack participated in a colloquy on the floor of the Unites States House of Representatives with Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey.

Congressman Loebsack initiated the discussion to bring attention to the serious mismanagement and delays former Iowa Army Ammunition Plant employees encounter when requesting compensation and medical benefits due to illness caused by exposure to toxic materials. On behalf of these workers and their fight to receive the necessary benefit afforded to them, Congressman Loebsack requested the Chairman’s assistance in asking the Department of Labor to report to Congress on the administration of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.

Congressman Dave Loebsack delivered the following statement during the colloquy:

“For decades during the Cold War, hundreds of thousands of Department of Energy employees, including thousands of workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in my district, worked diligently at our nation’s nuclear weapons facilities.

“These men and women worked with radioactive and other hazardous materials, and some ultimately sacrificed their health for the security of our nation.

“In response, Congress enacted the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act to provide compensation and medical benefits to these former nuclear employees.

“The intent of this act was to honor and care for Cold War veterans who became ill while working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and other DOE facilities.

“However, due to mismanagement and delays, the compensation program has only paid 11,829 – or 23% - of the 51,188 claims that have been filed nationwide. My constituents, and thousands of former DOE employees like them, have been subjected to bureaucratic red tape and unfair burdens of proof, delaying their compensation and even, in some cases, preventing them from filing claims.

“Congress made clear in enacting the compensation program that our nation’s Cold War heroes should be justly compensated for the illnesses they contracted while serving our country. Sadly, the Department of Labor has failed to ensure that the claims are properly processed and approved.

“Mr. Chairman - I respectfully request your assistance in asking the Department of Labor to report to Congress on the administration of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. Specifically, I believe it is vital that the Secretary provide Congress with information concerning:

• The length of time it takes to process and evaluate a claim

• The reasons behind the current backlog in processing these claims

• The staffing of the relevant offices assigned to administer the program

• The quality of communication with claimants

• The process through which claims are approved or denied, as well as the oversight currently in place to assure that claims are handled properly

• And, the possibility of providing greater assistance through the Department of Labor to those wishing to file claims – many of whom are elderly and in poor health

“Our nation’s former nuclear workers are truly the unheralded heroes of the Cold War. We owe them and their families better than bureaucratic red tape, and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in assuring that the Department of Labor remains committed to providing these workers with the recognition, treatment, and compensation they deserve. “

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