Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Caucus

Congressman Blumenauer has championed efforts to raise awareness and accelerate the cleanup of unexploded ordnance (UXO), the millions of discarded bombs and munitions that litter American lands and waters. There are 2,500 sites that exist in every state, including Camp Bonneville in Vancouver, Washington.  Blumenauer has worked closely with his colleagues and the Pentagon to provide funds for the faster cleanup of military lands.

To continue to raise awareness of this issue, Congressman Blumenauer founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Unexploded Ordnance Caucus. Successes include requiring the Department of Defense to compile an inventory of UXO sites and to establish a program manager for UXO at the Pentagon. For years, Blumenauer has lead successful bipartisan efforts for greater funding for remediation research and development.

On the international front, Congressman Blumenauer organized the first-ever Congressional letter to the negotiators for the Convention on Conventional Weapons. The bipartisan message urged greater action dealing with the Explosive Remnants of War, such as creating clear responsibility for its cleanup and implementing procedures to reduce risk in civilian areas.