A bit of news on HR 299, the current Blue Water Navy Bill. Let’s see how this goes....

 

According to the House Veterans Committee, HR 299 will be marked up with an intent to pass out of Committee next week. Arrangements have been made for a quick floor vote and currently more than 77% of theHouse members are co-sponsors. The Senate is preparing to hotline the bill once passed by the House and there are 50 of the Senate as co-sponsors of the Senate companion Bill, S 422.

 

Let’s hope the offset for funding is suitable to all House Veterans Affairs Committee members.  This is where the Bill has stalled before. The Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman want to pass the Bill.   The House Minority member may be the fly in the ointment of passing.  If all goes well, it could be on the desk of the President by Memorial Day or shortly thereafter.

 

The important aspect of this bill is that it will be retroactive to September 25, 1985.  That means if you filed for any VA disability after that date that was for a presumptive condition caused by Agent Orange exposure, it will be retroactively approved and you will be entitled to all of the back compensation to that date!

 

You may want to contact your US Rep and US Senators and ask them to vote for this legislation.  Remember, it is HR 299 for the House and S 422 for the Senate.

 

Yours in service,

 

Chuck Weber

VSO