Dependable Employment and Living Improvements for Veterans Economic Recovery Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and salute Mr. Takano and Mr. Roe for their fine work.

In particular, I want to foot stomp section 2011, which instructs GAO to conduct an independent analysis of the VA's 1-year manifestation rule, which has unfairly blocked benefits for three debilitating conditions caused by Agent Orange dioxin used in the Vietnam war.

In a nutshell, veterans are required to show these illnesses manifested themselves within 1 year of exposure in order to get VA help. Only one problem: 50 years ago, when servicemembers were handling this poison, the U.S. Government never disclosed how dangerous it was. When its toxicity was finally recognized decades later, the 1-year clock to prove manifestation had long expired. It is the ultimate catch-22.

Section 2011 would not exist but for the tireless work of Vietnam veteran Gerry Wright from Andover, Connecticut, who has crisscrossed America rounding up support for abolishing this rule--no lobbyists, no super-PACs, just old-fashioned citizen activism.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Gerry. He is a true patriot.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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