House Adopts Defense Authorization Bill Which Includes Language Sought by Platts to Assist Treatment of Troops with Brain Injuries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310) which included provisions sought by Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) to assist military personnel suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as requesting that the U.S. Department of Defense expedite a Medal of Honor review for a soldier of the Civil War.  H.R. 4310 was adopted by the U.S. House by a vote of 299-120 on May 18. The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee adopted its version of the National Defense Authorization Act on May 24 and that legislation is expected to be considered by the full Senate in a few days.

The TBI provision advocated for by Congressman Platts strongly encourages the Secretary of Defense to collaborate with state governments to better assist service members suffering from TBI in accessing community resources and services.  This would better enable service members with TBI to lead more productive lives as they return to their homes, communities and the workforce.
“Congress has acknowledged that traumatic brain injuries from blast exposures are the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Congressman Platts, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.  “It is more important than ever that we do right by the men and women in our military who serve in harm’s way.”

It is estimated that 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  TBI has also been considered a contributing factor in nearly a third of all injury-related deaths in the United States.  Congressman Platts has served as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force since 2005. Now serving his final term in the U.S. House, Congressman Platts has been privileged to help raise public awareness regarding TBI and to ensure that the men and women in our military receive the highest quality of medical treatment available in order to lead meaningful and productive lives post-injury.

The second provision advocated for by Congressman Platts urged the U.S. Department of Defense to expedite the Medal of Honor proposal for Private John A. Sipe, Company I of the 205th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, United States Army, for his bravery at the Battle of Fort Stedman during the Civil War.  Private Sipe showed inspirational leadership and gallantry by fearlessly charging the rebel lines and subsequently capturing the rebel flag.

The U.S. Army recommended the Medal of Honor for Private Sipe in 2009. Congressman Platts and his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee have asked the Department of Defense to complete its review and report its findings back to the committee.