Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

This legislation, titled the Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act, seeks to provide compensation to the residents and the municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the adverse effects of prolonged United States military activities on the island. For nearly 60 years, the U.S. Military used parts of Vieques as a training range, dropping millions of tons of ordnance, which led to significant environmental contamination with heavy metals and toxic chemicals. This contamination is linked to higher rates of certain diseases among residents, including cancer, cirrhosis, hypertension, diabetes, and heavy metal poisoning , exacerbating a humanitarian crisis intensified by Hurricane Maria. The Act establishes a Special Master , appointed by the Attorney General, to oversee the claims process. Individual claimants who resided on Vieques for at least five years and can provide medical documentation linking specific chronic or life-threatening diseases to military activity may receive monetary compensation ranging from $50,000 to $110,000 , depending on the number of qualifying diseases. Compensation is also available for immediate heirs of deceased claimants. The Special Master will also provide significant resources to the Municipality of Vieques, including funding for the construction and operation of a level three trauma center with a cancer center and renal dialysis unit, interim medical services, and an academic partner to conduct environmental research and remediation efforts. Total awards under this Act are capped at $1,000,000,000 from the Judgment Fund, and acceptance of an award constitutes a full settlement of claims against the U.S. government, with a 15-year limit for filing claims.