To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a commission to collect and investigate reports by members of the Armed Forces of illnesses incurred during or shortly following their service in combat zones during a war or contingency operation.

Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Aug 18, 1994

Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish advisory commissions to collect and investigate reports regarding illnesses military personnel believe they incurred as a result of service in a combat zone during a war or contingency operation. Requires cooperation with such a commission by the Secretary, the Secretaries of the military departments, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Requires each commission to prepare a registry of all illnesses reported in connection with the war or operation for submission to the Secretaries and the Congress.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Camp, Dave [R-MI-4] · R–MI

Committees

Armed Services Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Aug 25, 1994
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Aug 25, 1994
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Forces and Personnel.
Aug 18, 1994
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Aug 18, 1994
Introduced in House
Aug 18, 1994
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Aug 18, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4990 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4990, 103rd Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a commission to collect and investigate reports by members of the Armed Forces of illnesses incurred during or shortly following their service in combat zones during a war or contingency operation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4990

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-08-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr4990/BILLS-103hr4990ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4990 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4990 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4990, 103rd Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a commission to collect and investigate reports by members of the Armed Forces of illnesses incurred during or shortly following their service in combat zones during a war or contingency operation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4990

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-08-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr4990/BILLS-103hr4990ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4990 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4990 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4990, 103rd Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a commission to collect and investigate reports by members of the Armed Forces of illnesses incurred during or shortly following their service in combat zones during a war or contingency operation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4990

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-08-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr4990/BILLS-103hr4990ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4990 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4990 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4990, 103rd Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a commission to collect and investigate reports by members of the Armed Forces of illnesses incurred during or shortly following their service in combat zones during a war or contingency operation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4990

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1994-08-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr4990/BILLS-103hr4990ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:02Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4990 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.