Larson Commends House Passage of Long Awaited Relief for Navy Vietnam Vets

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) made the following statement after the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018 passed the House of Representatives.

"Today's vote was a step in the right direction for our Blue Water Vietnam Veterans who have suffered from the effects of Agent Orange while serving off the coast of Vietnam during the war. Having heard directly from vets and their families in the First District who have been impacted by this, I was proud to become a cosponsor and submitted a letter along with over 60 other members of the House to Speaker Ryan asking to put this bill up for a vote and I am proud the House has finally taken action. I encourage the Senate to quickly take up and pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act to provide long-awaited relief to those who have served and sacrificed for their country," said Larson.

If this bill is signed into law, Blue Water Vietnam Veterans will be able to apply for medical benefits which were previously denied. In cases where a veteran is actively seeking to file a medical claim in relation to Agent Orange, they would be given presumptive benefits. This will include survivor benefits for their family members as well. The current guidelines at the Department of Veteran's Affairs do not acknowledge thousands of Navy veterans who were harmed by Agent Orange as a result of their service.

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