Collins, Shaheen Statement on Release of HAVANA Regulations

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released this statement following the Administration’s release of regulations under the HAVANA Act:

“We appreciated the first quarterly briefing from Biden Administration officials last week, consistent with the FY22 NDAA, to provide an update on the interagency investigation into AHIs and efforts to improve victim care, including the implementation of the HAVANA Act and the Directed Energy Threat Emergency Response Act.  The publication of the long-overdue regulations is certainly welcome news for AHI victims and will help ensure that they finally receive the health care and financial assistance they need.  We look forward to reviewing the regulations in detail and listening to feedback from all affected stakeholders who will express their views during the public comment period.”

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Senators Collins and Shaheen co-authored the HAVANA Act, which was signed into law last year.  The law authorizes the Director of the CIA and the Secretary of State to provide additional financial support for American public servants who have incurred brain injuries likely from directed energy attacks.  Senators Collins and Shaheen also secured funding in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022 to implement the HAVANA Act.

The fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act included the Directed Energy Threat Emergency Response Act, legislation co-authored by Senators Shaheen and Collins that created a senior interagency coordinator for matters related to anomalous health incidents (AHIs).  The law also requires agency heads to appoint a senior official within their organization to lead their agency’s efforts on AHI issues and regularly brief Congress.

Senator Collins is a member of the Intelligence Committee.  Senator Shaheen is a member of the Armed Services Committee.

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