To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide additional authority for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide health care for veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
Public Law 103-210 · H.R. 2535 · 103rd Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Dec 20, 1993 · Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor: Rep. James Rowland (D-GA-8)
Cosponsors (33): Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Robert Clement,
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Makes Persian Gulf War veterans exposed to a toxic substance or environmental hazard during that war eligible for medical (including outpatient) care for any disability, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such disability may be associated with such exposure, with exceptions. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon request, to reimburse veterans for such care furnished before this Act's enactment.
Extends through: (1) June 30, 1994, the provision of veterans' hospital and nursing home care and medical services for Vietnam era veterans exposed to toxic substances during such service; (2) December 31, 1994, the period of eligibility for sexual trauma counseling services through the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans released from duty before December 31, 1992; (3) December 31, 1994, the authority to maintain a Department regional office in the Philippines; and (4) December 31, 1994, the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with State veterans facilities for the sharing of healthcare resources and facilities, with certain conditions.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Veterans' Affairs Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Health Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 21 actions.
- Dec 20, 1993Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 103-210.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Dec 8, 1993PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Nov 22, 1993Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Montgomery asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.
- Nov 20, 1993FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Amendment SP 1226 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Aug 3, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Aug 2, 1993FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 0 (Roll no. 388).House roll call 388
- FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Montgomery moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Jul 29, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jul 27, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jun 29, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Jun 28, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.