King “Encouraged” by Pentagon’s New Policy to Address Brain Injuries, Protect Servicemembers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, released the following statement after the Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled a new policy to better monitor servicemembers' exposure to blast overpressure and subsequent risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The policy comes after Senator King wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in July suggesting that the DoD take immediate actions to conduct baseline screenings of servicemembers for brain injuries.

"I am encouraged by the new policies being put in place by the Department of Defense to address brain injuries caused by blast overpressure. The more we focus efforts on the effects of blasts, the more we learn about the direct link to brain injury and how we can prevent these injuries in the future," said Senator King. "By beginning a cognitive test program this year to screen every servicemember upon entry to the military, as well as screen current at risk servicemembers, we can learn how to manage these exposures with the aim of protecting their wellbeing and saving lives.

"It is clear this is an urgent issue and I commend the Pentagon for fast-tracking these needed changes. This urgency especially hits home for us here in Maine after reports showed the gunman responsible for the Lewiston shooting was repeatedly exposed to blasts during Army training events, likely causing a brain injury. This new policy marks another positive step toward helping our community heal, while also working to prevent unnecessary harm moving forward to our servicemembers and veterans. We have a solemn duty to protect the well-being of those who served to protect our nation and freedoms."

Following the Lewiston shooting, Senator King has been working with his colleagues to increase mental health funding and address brain injuries. Prior to his letter to the Secretary, he sent a letter to the leaders of the Appropriations Committee urging leadership to support the strongest possible funding for the Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research program within the Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDRMP). He also recently introduced the Blast Overpressure Safety Act that would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to enact a range of measures to help mitigate and protect servicemembers from blast overpressure.

In March, the entire Maine Delegation announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS) would receive $2,048,452 through the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Emergency Response Grant program (SERG). The funding is used for community mental health needs in the greater-Lewiston community, following the shooting that claimed the lives of 18 individuals and wounded 13 others. The delegation also sent a follow-up letter to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Army, Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin, to further press for a comprehensive review of the facts and events leading up to the October 25 mass shooting. As a result, the U.S. Army Inspector General conducted a subsequent investigation and published its findings in July 2024.

###