H.R. 299 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) - Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019

Specifically, the bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served (1) offshore of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or (2) in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

The bill extends eligibility for health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

Additionally, the bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program to adjust loan fee rates and eliminate the limit on the amount of a loan for which the VA may provide a guaranty of 25%. Under current law, these loan guarantees are subject to a limit on loan size determined by Freddie Mac.

The bill also waives loan fees for active duty Purple Heart recipients.

The VA shall permit a VA-approved appraiser to make a housing loan appraisal based solely on information gathered by a person with whom the appraiser has entered into an agreement for such services.

Text (5)

May 15, 2019

May 14, 2019

May 10, 2019

January 8, 2019

Actions (23)

Show Only Major Actions

06/25/2019

Became Public Law No: 116-23.

06/25/2019

Signed by President.

06/19/2019

Presented to President.

06/13/2019

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

06/12/2019

Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3450)

06/12/2019

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3450)

05/15/2019

Received in the Senate, read twice.

05/14/2019

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

05/14/2019

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 0 (Roll no. 203). (text: CR H3743-3746)

05/14/2019

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 0 (Roll no. 203).(text: CR H3743-3746)

05/14/2019

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3771)

05/14/2019

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

05/14/2019

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 299.

05/14/2019

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3743-3751)

05/14/2019

Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

05/10/2019

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 36.

05/10/2019

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 116-58.

05/08/2019

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

05/08/2019

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

05/01/2019

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

02/01/2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

01/08/2019

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

01/08/2019

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Nov 1, 2022 1:49:24 PM