Bill · H.R. 39· House(119-HR-39)
Original Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 12/19/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Al Green
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Original Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund. The fund is intended to provide benefits to specific individuals who served in the United States merchant marine, including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service, during World War II. Eligible individuals must have engaged in qualified service between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, under specific conditions. Each eligible person is to receive a single payment of $25,000. The bill also authorizes $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to support this fund.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
The bill provides direct financial payments to a specific group of elderly World War II veterans.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
The bill provides direct economic compensation to specific World War II merchant mariners.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+8
The bill establishes a new equity compensation fund providing $25,000 to qualifying WWII merchant mariners.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Compensation for Veterans: Eligible individuals who served in the United States merchant marine during World War II will receive a one-time payment of $25,000 (Section 2(b)(3) and Section 2(c)).
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Simplified Verification: The Secretary is directed to accept a DD-214 form as proof of qualified service, which may simplify the application process for eligible individuals (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Defined Eligibility Criteria: The bill establishes clear parameters for who qualifies, including those who served on specific vessels operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Application Window: To be considered an eligible individual, a person must submit their application to the Secretary within a one-year period beginning on the date of the section's enactment (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Exclusionary Criteria: Individuals who have already received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 are not eligible to receive these payments (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Specific Service Requirements: To qualify, service must have occurred on vessels operated in waters other than inland waters, the Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United States (Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Seniors+8Good For Veterans+8Good For Low Income Households+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8
- 12/19/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California