[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1753 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1753
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female
cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 23, 2023
Mr. Issa (for himself, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. Crow, and Ms.
Houlahan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female
cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CREDIT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN
FEMALE CULTURAL SUPPORT TEAMS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2010, the Commander of United States Special
Operations Command established the Cultural Support Team
Program to overcome significant intelligence gaps during the
Global War on Terror.
(2) From 2010 through 2021, approximately 310 female
members, from every Armed Force, passed and were selected as
members of female cultural support teams, and deployed with
special operations forces.
(3) Members of female cultural support teams served
honorably, demonstrated commendable courage, overcame such
intelligence gaps, engaged in direct action, and suffered
casualties during the Global War on Terror.
(4) The Federal Government has a duty to recognize members
and veterans of female cultural support teams who volunteered
join the Armed Forces, to undergo arduous training for covered
service, and to execute dangerous and classified missions in
the course of such covered service.
(5) Members who performed covered service have sought
treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs for traumatic
brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, and disabling physical
trauma incurred in the course of such covered service, but have
been denied such care.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that
individuals who performed covered service performed exceptional service
to the United States.
(c) Military Service: Records; Calculation of Retired Pay.--Not
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary concerned shall ensure that the performance of covered
service is included in--
(1) the military service record of each individual who
performed covered service; and
(2) the computation of retired pay for each individual who
performed covered service.
(d) Claims for Veterans Benefits Arising From Covered Service.--
(1) Determination of service connection.--Upon the filing
of a claim by an individual described in paragraph (3)(C) for
service-connected disability or death incurred or aggravated in
the course of covered service, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall determine whether such disability or death was
service-connected.
(2) Treatment of covered service.--In the consideration of
a claim under this subsection, the Secretary shall treat
covered service as engagement in combat with the enemy in the
course of active military, naval, air, or space service.
(3) Effective date of award.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided by subparagraph
(B), the effective date of an award under this
subsection shall be determined in accordance with
section 5110 of title 38, United States Code.
(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subsection (g) of
such section, the Secretary shall determine the
effective date of an award based on a claim under this
subsection for an individual described in subparagraph
(C) by treating the date on which the individual filed
the initial claim specified in clause (i) of such
subparagraph as the date on which the individual filed
the claim so awarded under this section.
(C) Eligible individuals.--An individual described
in this subparagraph is an individual who performed
covered service, or a survivor of such an individual--
(i) who, before the date of the enactment
of this Act, submitted a claim for service-
connected disability or death of such
individual;
(ii) whose such claim was denied by reason
of the claim not establishing that the
disability or death was service-connected;
(iii) who submits a claim during the period
of three years beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, for the same condition
covered by the prior claim under clause; and
(iv) whose such claim is approved pursuant
to this subsection.
(4) Processing of claims.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall
improve training and guidance for employees who may process a
claim under this subsection.
(5) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to
inform individuals who performed covered service (and survivors
of such individuals) that they may submit supplemental claims
for service-connected disability or death incurred or
aggravated in the course of covered service. Such outreach
shall include the following:
(A) The Secretary shall publish on the internet
website of the Department a notice that such
individuals may elect to file a supplemental claim.
(B) The Secretary shall notify, in writing or by
electronic means, veterans service organizations of the
ability of such individuals to file a supplemental
claim.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered service'' means service--
(A) as a member of the Armed Forces;
(B) in a female cultural support team;
(C) with the personnel development skill identifier
of R2J or 5DK; and
(D) during the period beginning on January 1, 2010,
and ending on August 31, 2021.
(2) The terms ``active military, naval, air, or space
service'' and ``service-connected'' have the meanings given
such terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(3) The term ``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given
such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
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