Womack Votes to Support Vietnam Veterans

Press Release

Washington, DC--May 14, 2019....Continuing his work to support those who bravely served our country, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (H.R. 299). This bipartisan legislation ensures that veterans who served off the shores of Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange can access the treatments and benefits they deserve.

Congressman Womack said, "Our veterans have made major sacrifices in defense of our nation and way of life, and they deserve our unyielding support. This legislation ensures that service members who were exposed to Agent Orange will be properly taken care of. Whether serving by land, sea, or air, we owe a debt of gratitude to our armed forces."

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed millions of gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to eliminate leaves of trees and other dense tropical foliage that provided the enemy cover. Exposure to this toxic chemical is linked to a number of diseases and has had severe health effects for those who served in Vietnam.

Congress passed a law in 1991 that required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide presumptive health coverage to all Vietnam veterans with illnesses directly linked to Agent Orange exposure. However, in 2002, the VA announced that it would only cover veterans who had "boots on the ground" orders. This exclusion prevented thousands of Blue Water veterans, those who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam and were still exposed to chemicals, from receiving benefits.

The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act would clarify current law to allow Blue Water veterans to receive VA coverage equitable to those who served on land and in inland waterways.

The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.

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