Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, legislation that would extend "blue water" Vietnam veterans, who served up to 12 miles off-shore in Vietnam, presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure:

“I have heard from countless Arkansans about the struggles of dealing with Agent Orange exposure and the difficulties in getting assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It is inexcusable that the fight is not over for our blue water Vietnam veterans who continue suffering needlessly at no fault of their own. America owes a great debt to these veterans which is why I signed on as one of the first cosponsors of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. This bipartisan bill continues the House’s work of reducing the backlog of VA claims and ensuring our veterans swiftly get the care and benefits they have earned.”


Background:

(Courtesy of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs)
Agent Orange is an herbicide used during the Vietnam era that has been known to be associated with certain health issues in people who have been exposed to the chemical. The Agent Orange Act of 1991 said that if a veteran served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 and has a disease that has been associated with exposure to Agent Orange, they are automatically presumed to have a been exposed to it and therefore qualify for disability compensation. The Blue Water Navy Veterans Act of 2019 would extend the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange to veterans who served in the Blue Water Navy.