Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA)
Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act. It aims to help certain veterans who served at the Pentagon Reservation. Specifically, it creates a presumption of service connection for certain diseases linked to toxin exposure. This applies to veterans who performed active service at the Pentagon between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001. Under the bill, specific conditions like asthma, cancer, and heart disease will be considered incurred or aggravated during service. This makes it easier for these individuals to get what they need without having to prove their illness started while in the military.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly benefits eligible veterans by streamlining access to care for toxin-related illnesses.
- Scored +9
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Significantly improves benefits and support for 9/11 servicemembers exposed to toxins.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
Establishes a presumption of service connection for specified diseases for veterans exposed to toxins at the Pentagon Reservation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 (Adding Section 1120A(a)): This provision establishes a presumption of service connection for specified diseases that show up in covered veterans, meaning they do not need a record of evidence that the disease started during their service. This is positive because it removes a major hurdle for veterans seeking support for their health issues.
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Section 2 (Adding Section 1120A(b)): This part lists specific covered diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, tracheomalacia, any type of cancer, any type of cardiovascular disease, any type of skin disease, and any type of respiratory disease. This is beneficial because it clearly defines conditions like cancer and asthma so that affected individuals are explicitly covered.
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Section 2 (Adding Section 1120A(c)(1)): This defines a "covered veteran" as anyone who performed active service while assigned to a duty station at the Pentagon Reservation between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001. This is positive as it clearly identifies the exact group of people who are eligible for these new presumptions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 (Adding Section 1120A(c)(1)): The definition of a covered veteran strictly limits eligibility to those who performed active service specifically at the Pentagon Reservation between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001. This could be viewed as a negative burden or limitation because it excludes individuals who may have been exposed to toxins at the same location outside of those specific dates.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Establishes a presumption of service connection for specified diseases for veterans exposed to toxins at the Pentagon Reservation. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Eases the burden of proof for eligible veterans seeking health support for specific conditions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly benefits eligible veterans by streamlining access to care for toxin-related illnesses.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Significantly improves benefits and support for 9/11 servicemembers exposed to toxins.
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2/3/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 9/11/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4254)
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia