Agent Orange Bill

Below is a summary of the legislation that is “STUCK” in the Senate. It may be too long, but I wanted to get something pertinent in the newsletter to get everyone on the same page regarding the current status. r/th

Status of HR 299, the Blue Water Navy Viet Nam Veterans Act as of September 2018.

This bill extends the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide exposure to veterans who served: (1) in the territorial seas of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean demilitarized zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

The bill was passed by the House in June 2018 and passed to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in August 2018. Hearings have been conducted there, with no other action. The legislation is STUCK in the Senate. All BELKNAP ASSOCIATION Members are urged to contact their US Congress Senators to pass the legislation. A sample not to your US Senator: ” Hello, my name is ____, from ___. As a constituent, I urge the Senator to support the immediate passage of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and encourage his/her colleagues as well.”