Introduction of Bipartisan Bill To Give "Blue Water" Vietnam Veterans The Benefits They Deserve
Press Release
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation with Reps. Chris Gibson (R-NY), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Danny Rehberg (R-MT) that would extend coverage and associated benefits with "Agent Orange" exposure to an additional group of Vietnam Veterans. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2011 (H.R. 3612) would allow "blue water" veterans who served up to 12 miles off-shore in Vietnam presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure. This would enable them to receive Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits if they suffer from any of the diseases the U.S. government has linked to Agent Orange. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
"Our veterans, whether they served a week ago or half-a-century ago, deserve to know that we will make good on our promise to them by preserving fundamental benefits like healthcare," said Congressman Doggett. "This bipartisan effort to ensure that our obligations to Vietnam veterans are met recognizes that the needs our those who served do not end when they are off the battlefield."
Austinite Morgan Little, Chairman of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, praised Congressman Doggett for his efforts on behalf of the "blue water" veterans. "Until now, one may have thought the Blue Water Navy was fighting a different war," he said. "I am pleased Representative Doggett filed this bill that could eventually mean the difference between being granted the benefits that I earned when I served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange, or not." Little, a retired 30-year Navy Reserve Captain with broad command experience served in Vietnam in 1969 and was later diagnosed with cancer. With no family history of this type of disease, Little strongly believes his illness stems to his service in Vietnam and his subsequent exposure to Agent Orange.
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