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Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023

3/7/2024, 8:15 AM

Summary of Bill HR 2447

Bill 118 hr 2447, also known as the Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to provide benefits and recognition to veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone during a specified period of time.

The bill outlines that veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone between certain dates will be eligible for various benefits, including healthcare services, disability compensation, and burial benefits. Additionally, the bill seeks to establish a registry of veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone, in order to ensure that these individuals receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the recognition of the service and sacrifices made by these veterans, including the issuance of a certificate of appreciation and the authorization of a special medal for those who served in the Panama Canal Zone. Overall, the Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023 aims to honor and support the veterans who served in this region during a specific time period, ensuring that they receive the recognition and benefits they deserve for their service to our country.

Congressional Summary of HR 2447

Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023

This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified conditions associated with active duty service in or near the Panama Canal Zone (zone) from January 1, 1958, through the latter of December 31, 1999, or the date on which the last service member departed from duty in the zone. 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.

The presumption of service-connection applies to illnesses listed in the bill (e.g., Hodgkin's disease) or those that (1) have a positive association with exposure to an herbicide agent that is known or presumed to be associated with service in the zone during the specified time period, and (2) become manifest in a veteran who served in the zone during the specified time period and was exposed to an herbicide agent during such service.

The Department of Veterans Affairs must prescribe regulations providing for a presumption of service-connection whenever there is a determination that a positive association exists between the exposure to an herbicide agent known or presumed to be associated with service in or near the zone and the occurrence of an illness in humans.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 2447

Bill HR 2447 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 30, 2023. Bill HR 2447 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on March 30, 2023.  Bill HR 2447's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. as of April 14, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2447

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
94
Democrat Cosponsors
74
Republican Cosponsors
20
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2447

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2447

Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023
Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connection for illnesses associated with service in the Armed Forces in the Panama Canal Zone, and for other purposes.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 2447

Maria Elvira Salazar
Maria Elvira Salazar
FloridaRepublican
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
New JerseyDemocrat
Marc A. Veasey
Marc A. Veasey
TexasDemocrat
David J. Trone
David J. Trone
MarylandDemocrat
Paul Tonko
Paul Tonko
New YorkDemocrat
Dina Titus
Dina Titus
NevadaDemocrat

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