WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Congressman Sanford
D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) reintroduced
the Agent Orange Reconciliation Act of 2017 (H.R. 2891) in an effort to
help heal the post-conflict, human cost of war by caring for children
living with Spina Bifida due to a Vietnam veteran parent’s exposure to
Agent Orange.
Spina Bifida requires costly surgeries and extensive medical care
because of potential paralysis resulting from damage to the spinal cord.
The Agent Orange Reconciliation Act of 2017 would fill gaps in the
Agent Orange Benefits Act (Public Law 104-204) by providing a one-time
retroactive monetary payment to the families with children enduring with
Spina Bifida to compensate for treatment of related symptoms from birth
until the date benefits under the original Act were first received.
“Our legislation would provide necessary relief for those Vietnam
veterans' children suffering with Spina Bifida due to Agent Orange,"
said Congressman Bishop. "These veterans and their families have been
left with the cost of years of medical care directly attributable to the
veteran’s wartime service. We owe it to our veterans to care for them
and their families, and this legislation would help do just that.”
“I’m honored to join my good friend and colleague, Congressman
Bishop, in this appropriate effort to provide well-deserved support to
these long-suffering families,” added Congressman Dent. “It is my hope
that this bipartisan measure will move forward in order to assist the
children of our Vietnam veterans who have faced the effects of Spina
Bifida as a result of their parents’ honorable service.”
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