Washington, D.C. — Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced that last week she took part as an original cosponsor in the introduction of new legislation to help military families as they fight COVID-19, the COVID-19 Benefits for Active Duty Servicemembers, the Reserve Components, and their Survivors Act of 2020.

The Legislation would remove barriers to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation and survivor benefits for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and Reservists, upon being exposed to COVID.

“Our military have important duties and their service could lead to individual exposure to this virus,” said Aumua Amata. “Any COVID illness in this way should have no barriers to care and benefits, any possible disability, and certainly if there’s a life tragically lost, their families should have these survivors benefits readily. Thank you to my friends Dr. Roe and Chairman Takano for leading this effort to make sure there is no coverage gap for those serving and their families.”

The bipartisan bill is led by Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe (R-Tennessee) with Chairman Mark Takano (D-California) and the support of other Committee leaders, including Vice Ranking Member Amata. In the U.S. Senate, companion legislation announced at the same time is led by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Ranking Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana).