Sponsors (2)
The bill provides a targeted $25,000 payment and dedicated funding to compensate qualifying WWII merchant mariners, but a fixed $125 million cap, narrow eligibility and application deadlines, and reliance on future administrative actions risk leaving some eligible veterans unpaid or delayed.
World War II merchant mariners who qualify receive a one-time $25,000 payment to compensate for past exclusion from 1944 benefits.
Provides a dedicated $125 million appropriation (FY2026) and creates a fund with no fiscal year limitation, increasing the likelihood that payments will be made.
Eases the application process by allowing DD-214 service records as acceptable proof of service, simplifying documentation for many claimants.
The $125 million funding cap may be insufficient to pay $25,000 to all eligible claimants, risking partial payments or denials for some veterans.
Payments are limited to applicants who apply within one year, so eligible mariners who miss the deadline will receive nothing.
Eligibility excludes mariners who previously received 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act benefits, leaving some with ongoing unmet needs without compensation under this bill.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Treasury fund to provide one-time $25,000 payments to eligible WWII merchant mariners and authorizes $125M for FY2026.
Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Al Green · Last progress January 3, 2025
Provides a one-time $25,000 payment to eligible World War II U.S. merchant mariners through a new Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund in the Treasury. It establishes eligibility rules, allows certain documentary proof, authorizes $125 million for FY2026 (available until expended), requires regulations within 180 days, and directs annual reporting of fund operations in budget documents.