Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act
Rep. Subramanyam Introduces the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act for Pentagon Veterans
This bill is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs after a subcommittee approved it. It is actively moving through the early stages of the legislative process. There are no further actions scheduled at this time.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill creates a presumption that certain illnesses in veterans who served at the Pentagon after 9/11 were caused by their military service. This means affected veterans would no longer need to prove their health problems are linked to toxic exposure at the site.
From policy text
“a disease specified in subsection (b) becoming manifest in a covered veteran shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated during active military, naval, air, or space service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.”
View in full text - The bill covers veterans who were stationed at the Pentagon during a roughly 10-week window right after the September 11 attacks, from September 11 through November 19, 2001.
From policy text
“The term `covered veteran' means any veteran who, during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 19, 2001, performed active military, naval, air, or space service while assigned to a duty station at the Pentagon Reservation.”
View in full text - The list of covered diseases is very broad, including all types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, skin disease, respiratory disease, and specific lung conditions like asthma, COPD, emphysema, and tracheomalacia.
- The bill also allows the VA Secretary to add more illnesses to the covered list in the future if there is a positive link to toxic exposure from substances identified under existing toxic exposure law.
From policy text
“Any other illness or condition for which the Secretary determines, pursuant to regulations prescribed under subchapter VII that a presumption of service connection is warranted based on a positive association with a substance, chemical, or airborne hazard identified in the list under section 1119(b)(2) of this title.”
View in full text - The bill was introduced on September 11, 2025, by Rep. Subramanyam with bipartisan cosponsors from Virginia, and was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
From policy text
“Mr. Subramanyam (for himself, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Wittman, and Mr. Scott of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(7)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.