Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Roe for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as well in support of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, an important bipartisan bill that will finally guarantee equality for the blue water Navy Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

Agent Orange was used by the U.S. military to strategically clear terrain and deforest areas during the Vietnam war. This tactical chemical has been linked, however, to prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and many other diseases.

For far too long, only veterans who served on Vietnam's landmass or inland waterways were entitled to the service-connected presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. This legislation ensures that the same automatic presumption is provided to those who served in the territorial seas of Vietnam. H.R. 299 addresses and permanently fixes this by properly defining those who will be eligible for VA benefits related to Agent Orange.

With this bill, we ensure that blue water Navy veterans will be treated fairly and will receive the benefits and care they deserve. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important bill, and I will continue to work for our Nation's veterans, providing them the care and benefits they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source