Media Advisories

On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 6:00 pm EST the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Cali.) and Ranking Member Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) will hold a press conference with Committee Members and Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) to champion H.R. 299, the bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which is scheduled for a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives later that evening. 

WHO: Chairman Mark Takano (D-Cali.)

Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.)

Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.)

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.)

Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa)

Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.)

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.)

Carlos Fuentes, National Legislative Service Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Aleks Morosky, National Legislative Director, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Additional Members TBD & Subject to Change          

WHAT: Members of Congress hold bipartisan press conference with VSOs ahead of the House vote on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

WHEN: 6:00pm ET, Tuesday, May 14, 2019

WHERE: House Triangle on the Capitol’s East Front, Washington, D.C. 20515

Note: The press conference will be live streamed on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Facebook page.

*** To RSVP click here. RSVPs not necessary but appreciated.

Background:
Agent Orange was 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 its chemical components. The Agent Orange Act of 1991 stipulated 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 been exposed and, therefore, qualify for VA disability compensation. The Blue Water Navy Veterans Act of 2019 would extend the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange to veterans who served  off the shores of Vietnam. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.