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S 5324 United States Senate · 118th Congress

OATH Act of 2024

This bill, the OATH Act of 2024, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify and notify veterans who participated in secrecy oath programs - like the Edgewood Arsenal chemical testing program (1948-1975) - of all eligible benefits. It mandates VA to send this notice within 90 days of veterans being released from their secrecy oaths, and to distribute required benefit information. The bill changes the effective date for disability compensation to start the day after a veteran’s discharge (not the application date), allowing retroactive benefits for qualifying disabilities incurred during these secret programs. It specifically applies to veterans of the Edgewood Arsenal program and similar secrecy oath programs, ensuring they receive full benefits they were previously barred from due to their oaths.
Issues: ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures veterans receive disability compensation and benefits, directly supporting healthcare access and financial protection for veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates VA to notify veterans of eligible benefits from secrecy programs, ensuring access to existing entitlements and expanding benefit awareness.95% confidence
Sub-Topics: Veteran Healthcare Veteran Benefits Veteran Education
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Nov 14, 2024 Last action Nov 14, 2024
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Nov 14, 2024
Senate · Referred to committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 14, 2024
Senate · Introduced
Introduced in Senate
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Richard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal
DDemocratic
CT
n/a