Last week, House and Senate leaders began another push for a “Blue Water Navy” bill on Agent Orange veterans benefits. This was following a previously failed attempt last year due to opposition from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to an article published by Military.com, “Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee were joined by Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, ranking member of the Senate committee, in urging VA Secretary Robert Wilkie not to appeal a January ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in favor of extending Agent Orange health care and benefits to offshore sailors.”
The House and Senate leaders spoke about the way forward on veterans issues in the new Congress, with Isakson saying that majority of the work will need to focus on the implementation of landmark legislation passed last year on private health care options, electronic health care records, and accountability for VA staff and employees.
To learn more about benefits for “Blue Water Navy” veterans, click here.
Relevant pages: Veterans Disability