During the Vietnam War, many U.S. soldiers were exposed to the chemical herbicide called Agent Orange, which can have detrimental health effects. For many years, Vietnam veterans had the ability to apply for additional benefits related to Agent Orange exposure only if they served on the ground or intercoastal waterways (one mile or less from shore). However, many service members in the surrounding areas who did not set foot in Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange from contact with clothes, gear, food or water that was contaminated.
Last year, Congress unanimously passed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which was signed into law shortly after by President Trump. This law extended benefits to the veterans who served in the South Pacific, but did not necessarily set foot in Vietnam. These men and women are experiencing the same effects as many soldiers who were on the ground, and I believe they deserve the same respect and benefits as other veterans.
Since I started serving in Congress, many veterans groups have come to my office to discuss the importance of this bill, so I am glad that it was passed and signed into law with such overwhelming bipartisan support.
I am happy to announce that the Veterans Administration (VA) this week informed me that about half of the nearly 70,000 claims made by Blue Water Navy veterans have been processed. As you may know, it is often very difficult for the government to run efficiently and effectively, but I am glad to say that the VA, under the leadership of the Trump Administration, has continued to make American veterans a priority and have done an outstanding job quickly processing these claims.
For more information from the VA on Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans, please click here.
