Exclusive Interview: Senator Burr talks Camp Lejeune toxics

WASHINGTON, N.C. - On Wednesday, lawmakers heard testimony on a bill to compensate families who got sick from contaminated tap water at Camp Lejeune. Leading that charge to pass the bill is North Carolina Republican Senator Richard Burr. And it’s a fight he takes personally.

“If they want to battle it I'll go down swinging,” said Burr.

When asked what he can do as a member of congress to get them to start answering questions Senator Burr replied,  “Listen, as I've shared with them this year, I’m going to be here for six more years short of death or impeachment.”

I also asked whether or not he believes they are still hiding things.

“I'm not sure what they are or are not hiding, but I am thoroughly convinced that they are not being helpful,” said Burr.

Senator Burr says he’ll do what it takes to get the bill through to help those sickened by the toxic water. “We’ve got several champions up here and we are going to be vigilant at making sure that there is a final determination as to blame.”

When asked if the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is something that deserves a criminal investigation Burr replied, “Well I’m not sure because we don't have the full picture yet, but I think that one piece of information that was uncovered in the last 12 months was about the level of benzene in the ground – I’m convinced that the most productive thing we can do is to finish the investigation, and in the interim make sure the health care needs of the individuals effected is taken care of.”

Burr says the most important thing you can do if you think you were affected is to register with the CDC. You can do that by entering the Keywords: Toxic Water on our homepage.

--- Previous Story - Ensminger testifies about toxic water before U.S. Senate committee hearing ---

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A former Camp Lejeune Marine who says toxic water on base played a role in the death of his daughter testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning.

Jerry Ensminger, a former Marine based at Camp Lejeune, told Senators, many of the people sickened by the toxic water and vapor on base have been 'virtually bankrupted' by paying for the health care they now need.

Republican Sen. Richard Burr and Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan cosponsored the legislation “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011,”  which was at the center of today's hearing.

It provides health care and medical services to marines and families affected by contaminated water.

We talked with both Senator's today, along with Mr. Ensminger, about the fight for truth about the extent of the contamination, and how many people may have been effected by it.

Both Senators spoke confidently and cautiously about the bills chances of success, but neither were proud of the way the release of information has been handled..

Hear why Burr is threatening to block nominations for top Department of Defense officials unless he starts getting the answers he wants, and whether he thinks a criminal investigation should begin.

Nine On Your Side’s Chris Brown is the only local reporter in Washington, D.C. for this hearing. He will bring us more throughout the day on this hearing. Just stay with WNCT and WNCT.com for the latest.

--- Original Story - Camp Lejeune toxic water takes center stage in U.S. Senate committee hearing ---

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A former Camp Lejeune Marine who says toxic water on base played a role in the death of his daughter, will testify on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning.

The Senate committee for Veterans Affairs is meeting to look at the “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011.”  It provides health care and medical services to marines and families affected by contaminated water. North Carolina senator Richard Burr is the chair and cosponsored the legislation with Senator Kay Hagan.

Former Marine Jerry Ensminger will testify. His daughter died of cancer at age nine. For 13 years, Ensminger has searched for answers about who knew what and when about contamination on base. On Wednesday, Ensminger will go before the committee to talk about the act.

If the act passes, it would help many people who found themselves sickened by rare types of cancer. For example 70 men got breast cancer and the only thing any of them had in common was Camp Lejeune at that time. But the military has time and again refused to pay for health care for most of them.

Nine on your Side’s Chris Brown is the only local reporter in Washington, D.C. for this hearing. He will bring us more throughout the day on this hearing. Just stay with WNCT and WNCT.com for the latest.