US Congress Senate Bill 1775 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-4)
Status: Introduced on July 15 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2015-07-15 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Pending: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or discharge forms, ship logbooks, documents, or other official employment records. Requires DHS, when determining whether to recognize service allegedly performed during such period, to recognize masters of seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized to document an individual for purposes of hiring for or discharging from the merchant marine. Considers any service so recognized as active-duty service for purposes of veterans' burial benefits. Makes such veterans eligible for any appropriate military medals, ribbons, and decorations. Requires DHS to verify that an individual performed such service under honorable conditions without regard to their sex, age, or disability during the service period.

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act

Sen. Christopher Murphy [D-CT]	Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME]	Sen. Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]	Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D-MD]
Sen. Joe Donnelly [D-IN]	Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]	Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]	Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]	Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY]	Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D-NH]	Sen. Kelly Ayotte [R-NH]
Sen. Tim Scott [R-SC]	Sen. Mike Rounds [R-SD]

Date	Chamber	Action
2015-07-15	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

HB1288 (Same As) 2015-08-13 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1775/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1775/BILLS-114s1775is.pdf