Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act Update

By Chuck N. Baker
This year, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act is again up for passage by the House of Representatives. If approved in its current form, it would grant Agent Orange benefits to U.S. Navy veterans who were stationed offshore in Vietnam in “blue water.” Additionally, it would expand Agent Orange benefits for those who served at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and also in Thailand.

Veterans who would benefit from the bill’s passage explain they have been impacted by toxic exposure to Agent Orange while offshore in proximity to Vietnam. American veterans stationed in Thailand and stationed at the DMZ also claim exposure and medical complications as a result of breathing in the chemicals and being physically exposed to the poisonous elements.

Legislation pertaining to the toxins has been discussed since 2016. In December of 2018, a bill to extend health care and disability benefits to the approximately 90,000 veterans affected was introduced in the Senate, but was blocked led by Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming. It was reported the legislation otherwise had bipartisan support.

The current version of the bill was introduced by California Congressman Mark Takano, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Annie Kuster of New Hampshire.  Ranking Committee Member Congressman Phil Roe of Tennessee introduced a similar bill and said these veterans deserve VA health benefits.

Takano said it was a disservice to those in the Navy who were exposed to Agent Orange in coastal waters off of Vietnam. There remains at least one twist in the situation that has not been addressed. Takano likened illnesses supposedly caused by exposure to “wounds,” by stating that those involved had the expectation that the U.S. would care for them “if they were wounded while serving.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs has voiced objections to the legislation. Officials there say they are against the bill for two reasons: no conclusive science showing service connection and the potential cost to cover as many as 90,000 veterans.

Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto was among the cosponsors of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Her Communications Director, Ryan King, said: “The Senator remains committed to providing our nation’s veterans, especially those harmed while in service to their country, with the support and resources they need to recover.”  When contacted for this article, Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus said, “It’s long past time our Blue Water Navy veterans get the care and benefits they have earned. That’s why I’m proud to help introduce the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and end this injustice.”  And Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee stated, “As a nation, we must provide tens of thousands of veterans the benefits they earned during their time of service to our country. The Blue Navy Vietnam Veteran Act will pick up where the last Congress left off and finally ensure that those exposed to the toxic substances, and their children who inherited problems because of that exposure, are taken care of. I’m proud to join Chairman Takano and add my name to this important piece of legislation.”