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S. 1151Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Palomares Veterans Act of 2021

Sponsored by Richard BlumenthalSen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Introduced April 15, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:40 AM UTC

The Palomares Veterans Act of 2021 amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to create a presumption that certain veterans who were onsite during the 1966 Palomares nuclear weapons accident response are entitled to service‑connected disability compensation. It also extends that presumption to dependency and indemnity compensation for any related deaths. The change applies to veterans who served in the response effort between Jan. 17, 1966 and Mar. 31, 1967, and takes effect when the law is enacted.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new clause (v) to 38 U.S.C. §1112(c)(3)(B) that presumes service‑connected disability for veterans who participated onsite in the Palomares incident response (Jan 17, 1966‑Mar 31, 1967).
  • Specifies the amendment becomes effective on the date the Act is enacted.
  • Extends the presumption to dependency and indemnity compensation under §1310, covering deaths regardless of when they occurred.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 15, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 15, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 15, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 15, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1151

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 15, 2021

Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Ms. Warren, and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Palomares Veterans Act of 2021.

2.

Presumption of service connected disability for certain veterans who served in Palomares, Spain

(a)

Disability compensation

Section 1112(c)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

(v)

Onsite participation in the response effort following the collision of a United States Air Force B–52 bomber and refueling plane that caused the release of four thermonuclear weapons in the vicinity of Palomares, Spain, during the period beginning January 17, 1966, and ending March 31, 1967.

.

(b)

Effective date and applicability

(1)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Applicability concerning dependency and indemnity compensation

For purposes of section 1310 of title 38, United States Code, the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a death notwithstanding whether such death occurred before, on, or after such date.