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Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

USA119th CongressS-1656| Senate 
| Updated: 5/7/2025
Roger F. Wicker

Roger F. Wicker

Republican Senator

Mississippi

Cosponsors (1)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4398
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1386
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-405
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act
May 7, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 7, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4398
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1386
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-405
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act


  • May 7, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 7, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Government Operations and Politics

Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

USA119th CongressS-1656| Senate 
| Updated: 5/7/2025
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4398
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1386
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-405
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act
May 7, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 7, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4398
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1386
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-405
    Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act


  • May 7, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 7, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Roger F. Wicker

Roger F. Wicker

Republican Senator

Mississippi

Cosponsors (1)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted