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HR 5471 116th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Birth defects Child health Veterans' pensions and compensation

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida for benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Introduced: December 18, 2019 Introduced by: Bishop, Sanford D. Democratic · Georgia See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 14, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Dec 18, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Dec 18, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill states that the effective date for an award of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida is the date of the child's birth. Under current law, the effective date for the provision of such benefits is January, 1, 1997 (but not before receipt of the application for benefits). This bill thus provides benefit eligibility for children born before January 1, 1997.

What's happening now January 14, 2020

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5471: To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida for benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5471/
MLA
"H.R. 5471: To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida for benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5471/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5471, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5471/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5471: To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility of children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida for benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5471/)
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