NEWBURGH – Legislation that would grant disability benefits to Vietnam War veterans who have become ill from the effects of Agent Orange, but never touched Southeast Asian soil, is gaining momentum in Congress.
Many vets have contracted cancer years later and many have died as a result of being stationed on ships off the coast of Nam during the war and were in contact with water containing Agent Orange.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY18) is among those pushing for the legislation and he said support is mounting.
“It has 290 sponsors in the House; you can’t get 290 sponsors for free beer in the House of Representatives right now and I think there are 75 co-sponsors in the Senate,” Maloney said. “I’ve talked to Congressman Gibson about this just this week and the chairman of the committee, I believe it is realistic to think we can get this done year, and if not, I believe we can get it done this Congress, meaning next year, which is the important thing so we don’t have to start again.”
While the process of including Blue Water vets for disabilities benefits has taken far too long, Maloney believes the proposal will make it through both houses of Congress.
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