BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - House and Senate negotiators have reached an agreement on the amount of funding to help identify and provide services to Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.
Foreman Democratic Rep. Bill Amerman says the conference committee voted 6-0 on Monday to fund the program at $50,000 over the next two years. Both chambers still must approve the recommendation.
Democratic Sen. Richard Marcellais says there are about 15,000 Vietnam veterans living in North Dakota, and many of them may have been exposed to the jungle defoliant.
Amerman and Marcellais are both Vietnam veterans.
The bill originally asked for $100,000 in funding over the next two years. The House cut the sum to $50,000, while the Senate wanted $75,000.
By KFGO
Photo by Reuters
Published April 14, 2015