Recently, I contacted the offices of Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins with a question. Both expound that veterans be given total care, as they declare that today’s military and veterans are the protection of the nation’s democracy.

Senate Bill SR 299: “The restoration of presumptive rights to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans exposure to Agent Orange,” is before the Senate. The House of Representatives passed the bill unanimously. The Senate has 52 members as cosponsors for passage of that bill so I asked why neither of Maine’s senators were cosponsors.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans have had their rights to treatment for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure denied. Originally, all who served in Vietnam, including the U.S. Navy Vietnam veterans, were granted presumptive rights. Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans then had their rights taken away. A requirement that “boots on the ground” was made to have presumptive rights. With presumptive rights, any service member that served or traveled in Vietnam is considered to have that exposure.

Blue Water Navy veterans continue their fight for inclusion but are continually denied those rights, not because Congress does not believe there was exposure for the Blue Water veterans, but because Congress cannot figure how to fund the additional claims. Blue Water Navy veterans are overdue and these benefits should be restored.

King and Collins should join the other cosponsors of SR299 and vote to proceed with passage for signing by the president.

Roger Belanger, Auburn