Bill Sponsor
House Bill 2368
117th Congress(2021-2022)
COVENANT Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Apr 5, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Apr 5, 2021
Latest Action
Jun 22, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
2368
Congress
117
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
District of Columbia
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Rhode Island
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Washington
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Conceding Our Veterans' Exposures Now And Necessitating Training Act of 2021 or the COVENANT Act of 2021

This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for certain illnesses related to exposure to airborne hazards or open burn pits and addresses the care available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with illnesses they assert to be related to exposures during their service.

Specifically, the bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for certain illnesses becoming manifest in covered veterans to a degree of 10% or more. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions 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.

A covered veteran is any veteran who

  • served on or after August 2, 1990, in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates; or
  • served on or after September 11, 2001, in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, or other countries the VA determines to be relevant.

Among other elements, the bill

  • requires the VA to provide medical examinations for veterans who submit a claim for disability compensation for an illness not listed in the bill but that is asserted to be related to airborne hazard or open burn pit exposure;
  • authorizes the VA to stay pending claims for disability compensation related to the service and illnesses covered by this bill until the implementation of the bill; and
  • provides VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to covered veterans.
Text (1)
April 5, 2021
Actions (3)
06/22/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
04/05/2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
04/05/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
May 11, 2023 3:43:11 PM