WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) today celebrated the advancement of the Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support servicemember health and strengthen national security by improving how the U.S. military eliminates certain materials both at home and overseas. The WIPE Act’s provisions prohibiting the use of open-air burn pits to dispose of contraband or classified materials and of burn-pit disposal systems were included in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).
“When we passed the PACT Act, we took a major step forward to ensure the cost of the war will include the cost of caring for the warrior. But we can—and must—do more to address the risk burn pits and other toxic substances pose for our veterans,” said Senator Welch. “The WIPE Act will increase protections for veterans who could potentially be exposed to toxic substances and invest in waste disposal alternatives that will eliminate harmful burn pits. I’m encouraged this essential, common-sense bipartisan legislation to protect our veterans was included in the NDAA.”
“As an emergency physician, I’ve seen the devastating effects of toxic exposure on our servicemembers. That’s why I championed the toxic exposure provisions of the PACT Act and why I’m committed to preventing future harm,” said Rep. Dr. Ruiz. “The WIPE Act builds on that work by moving the military away from hazardous burn pits and toward safer, modern disposal systems. I’m proud to see this bipartisan measure included in the NDAA to better protect those who protect us.”
For decades, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has relied on open-air burn pits to dispose of waste in overseas contingency operations. The Department’s use of open-air burn pits—which create airborne hazards and increase health risks—has exposed an estimated 3.5 million U.S. servicemembers to harmful toxins that have been linked to long-term health conditions, including respiratory disease, cancer, and heart issues. In 2022, Congress passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) Act to expand care and benefits for veterans suffering from toxic exposure. Since the bill was signed into law by President Biden, over 5.6 million veterans have been screened for exposure to toxic chemicals.
The WIPE Act would invest in safer disposal systems for the future by replacing outdated and harmful waste disposal practices with modern, secure alternatives. These new systems will also improve how the U.S. secures and eliminates dangerous material and can also be deployed to military bases, border operations, and overseas installations.
The WIPE Act is cosponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24). The legislation is endorsed by Burn Pits 360 and the FealGood Foundation.
Senator Welch has championed efforts to limit toxic substance exposure among veterans in the Senate, including supporting legislation to educate servicemembers on the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards and improve data collection on veterans affected by toxic exposure. Last year, Senator Welch introduced the bicameral Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 Act, which passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the bipartisan Burn Pit Elimination Act, both bills that would improve protections for veterans under the PACT Act and prevent future toxic exposure cases.
Last Congress, a bipartisan amendment led by Sens. Welch, Tillis, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) requiring the VA to conduct a review on mortality and toxic exposure data for veterans who served in Kosovo passed with bipartisan support in the Senate. Senator Welch also cosponsored the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, and Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act, bills that build on the PACT Act to provide increased support for veterans exposed to burn pits, improve data collection on burn pit and toxic substance exposure, and help mitigate future toxic substance exposure for servicemembers.
Learn more about the WIPE Act and read the full text of the bill.
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