Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act

The Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act aims to expand federal health care and disability benefits for military personnel who were stationed at the Pentagon in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Currently, many of these individuals are ineligible for certain benefits provided to other 9/11 responders and veterans. The bill proposes to close this gap by establishing a "presumption of service connection" for veterans who served at the Pentagon Reservation between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001.

If enacted, this legislation would mean that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would automatically assume that certain health conditions—such as respiratory diseases, various cancers, and cardiovascular issues—were caused by toxic exposures at the Pentagon during that period. This change would eliminate the need for veterans to provide specific medical evidence linking their illness to their service, significantly simplifying the process for obtaining medical treatment and disability compensation.

The bill is named after retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Susan E. Lukas, who reported to the Pentagon for duty the day after the attacks and subsequently developed chronic health issues. By extending protections similar to those found in the PACT Act, the bill seeks to ensure that approximately 10,000 servicemembers exposed to hazardous dust, asbestos, and other toxicants during the building's recovery phase receive the same recognition and care as other toxic-exposed veterans.