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Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-2950| Senate 
| Updated: 9/15/2020
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (30)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John Boozman (Republican)Doug Jones (Democratic)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)Mike Rounds (Republican)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Marco Rubio (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill covers the following covered locations and corresponding time periods Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxic substance, chemical, or hazard.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Nov 21, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Nov 21, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Aug 5, 2020
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 15, 2020
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 15, 2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
  • November 21, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 21, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • August 5, 2020
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • September 15, 2020
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • September 15, 2020
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.

Armed Forces and National Security

AfghanistanAfricaAir qualityAsiaBahrainCongressional oversightDisability assistanceDjiboutiFiresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIraqKuwaitMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSolid waste and recyclingUnited Arab EmiratesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-2950| Senate 
| Updated: 9/15/2020
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill covers the following covered locations and corresponding time periods Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxic substance, chemical, or hazard.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Nov 21, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Nov 21, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Aug 5, 2020
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 15, 2020
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Sep 15, 2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
  • November 21, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 21, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • August 5, 2020
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • September 15, 2020
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • September 15, 2020
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 542.
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (30)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John Boozman (Republican)Doug Jones (Democratic)Kyrsten Sinema (Independent)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)Mike Rounds (Republican)Ted Cruz (Republican)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)John Cornyn (Republican)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Marco Rubio (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Mike Crapo (Republican)Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AfghanistanAfricaAir qualityAsiaBahrainCongressional oversightDisability assistanceDjiboutiFiresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIraqKuwaitMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSolid waste and recyclingUnited Arab EmiratesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation