Sen. Susan Collins’ bill to address Havana syndrome signed into law

WASHINGTON (WMTW) - Sen. Susan Collins was the lead sponsor of a bill signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday in response to the so-called Havana syndrome.

Havana syndrome gets its name from the U.S. Embassy in Cuba where cases of the mysterious illness first emerged among foreign service officers five years ago.

Now, 200 U.S. officials stationed in Cuba and other locations overseas have reported symptoms that include headaches, hearing problems, nausea and vertigo.

The cause is believed to be direct energy attacks using radio or microwave frequencies.

“I first heard about these attacks from people who had links to my constituents,” Collins said. “For the first time, we’re going to have a whole of government approach to find out exactly what is causing these attacks, and more important, who is the perpetrator of them?”

Marc Polymeropoulos was forced to retire after 26 years with the CIA following an attack while on assignment at the U.S. embassy in Moscow in 2017.

“Woke up in the middle of the night with an incredible case of vertigo, you know, the room was spinning,” Polymeropoulos said. “I’d been shot at in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this was a pretty terrifying experience.”

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury.

“I’ve had a headache for four years,” Polymeropoulos said.

His experience and similar testimony from others moved Collins to act.

“We’ve got to make sure that Marc and others don’t have to battle the bureaucracy to get the care that they need,” Collins said.

The law covers victims’ medical bills and provides financial compensation while the federal government continues to investigate who is responsible.

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