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Politico | US lawmakers introduce bill to push White House on ‘Havana syndrome’ investigation

  • With increase in suspected directed-energy attacks against American officials, senators seek new NSC coordinator position and medical care for victims
  • Those affected face symptoms including intense ringing and pressure in the ears, loss of hearing and cognitive abilities, and even permanent brain damage

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The bipartisan bill was introduced by Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen (front) and her Republican colleague Senator Susan Collins (right). Photo: AFP

This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Andrew Desiderio on politico.com on August 4, 2021.

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A bipartisan group of senators unveiled legislation on Tuesday aimed at improving the US government’s sprawling investigations of and response to the mysterious brain injuries affecting hundreds of American officials and personnel around the world.

The bill, introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins, represents Congress’s latest bid to boost the Biden administration's efforts to get to the bottom of what has been dubbed “Havana syndrome” – so named after dozens of US officials there were afflicted with suspicious ailments.

The bill comes after POLITICO first reported earlier this year that US officials were sounding the alarm to Congress about Americans’ increasing vulnerability to these incidents, which officials have struggled to understand.

02:01

Mystery illness that struck US diplomats in China and Cuba ‘likely caused by surveillance’

Mystery illness that struck US diplomats in China and Cuba ‘likely caused by surveillance’

The legislation would create a new position on the White House’s National Security Council to oversee the federal government’s response to what US officials investigating the matter believe are directed-energy attacks against US diplomats and spies.

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