A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced a draft proposal aimed at expanding workers’ compensation access for civilian federal employees exposed to toxic burn pits during overseas assignments.
The measure, titled the Kenya Merritt Renewing Our Promise to Address Toxicity Act, is named after FBI Special Agent Kenya Merritt, who died from lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure during service in Iraq.
The bill seeks to place civilians on equal footing with military personnel when it comes to claims tied to toxic exposure. It focuses on illnesses such as cancer and other long-term conditions often connected to burn pits used in conflict zones.
Legal Gap for Civilian Federal Employees
A 2022 law improved access to compensation for military members exposed to burn pits during deployment. However, civilian federal employees who worked in similar environments in places like Iraq and Afghanistan were left outside that coverage.
This gap has created a stricter claims process for civilians. They must prove a direct medical link between illness and exposure when filing claims with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Key change proposed in the bill: A legal presumption that certain illnesses are work-related for eligible civilians exposed to burn pits overseas
This approach would align civilian protections more closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs framework used for military service members.
Lawmakers and Public Safety Voices
The proposal was introduced by Democratic Rep. Nellie Pou of New Jersey and supported by Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, along with Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Celeste Maloy of Utah.
The announcement took place on Capitol Hill during Police Week, alongside members of the FBI Agents Association.
Rep. Nellie Pou highlighted concerns over claim denials, stating, “According to the Department of Labor investigators, every single civilian federal burn pit-related claim has been denied.” She added, “That’s an outrage. And it cannot stand.”
Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, noted that thousands of FBI agents have served overseas over the past two decades and have faced similar exposure risks. She also confirmed that the bureau supports the proposed legislation.
The bipartisan proposal reflects growing attention to the long-term health risks linked to burn pit exposure among federal personnel. The bill seeks to address disparities between military and civilian claims. It also aims to change how occupational illness cases are reviewed for personnel who served in hazardous overseas environments.
