House unanimously passes bill to aid "Havana Syndrome" victims
CBSN
The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would authorize payments to those impacted by "Havana Syndrome" — a mysterious illness known to produce neurological symptoms that has affected scores of U.S. officials and personnel in multiple countries. The Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks Act, also known as the HAVANA Act, now goes to President Joe Biden's desk for approval.
"There is no higher priority than protecting our people. None," Representative Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. "As we examine the cause of the illness known as Havana Syndrome, we must ensure those impacted get the care they deserve."
The bill authorizes government agencies to pay personnel who suffered from injuries related to Havana Syndrome while on the job. Those affected both before and after the bill is enacted will be eligible for payments.
Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.