Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation that would honor the employees of Air America for their service to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) between 1950 and 1976.
According to Sen. Rubio’s press release, employees of the airline have not received full Federal retirement civil service benefits.
Moreover, the CIA has already memorialized their efforts at their headquarters honoring the Air America employees who lost their lives in China and Laos. The airline offered support to U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War.
Sen. Rubio introduced the legislation alongside Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).
Rubio stated that the employees of the airline “deserve an immense token of appreciation.”
“The brave men and women of Air America deserve an immense token of appreciation for their service to our nation. I am proud to lead this bipartisan bill to ensure our fellow Americans who honorably served our great nation receive the recognition they deserve,” said Rubio.
Additionally, Sen. Warner mentioned that he hopes the Senate will “do the right thing” by passing this legislation.
“I’m proud to introduce this legislation to provide well-earned benefits and formally recognize the courage of Air Americans during the U.S. war effort in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I hope the Senate will act quickly to do the right thing by those who courageously supported troops, rescued downed American pilots and sustained casualties in the line of duty,” said Sen. Warner.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined the effort as well. He announced that those who sacrificed their safety “deserve to be fairly compensated.”
“Air America employees deserve to be fairly compensated for their service to the nation during the Vietnam War. This legislation would ensure those who worked at Air America, which was government-owned and managed by the Central Intelligence Agency, receive the federal retirement benefits they’re owed,” said Sen. Cornyn.
Recently, Rubio called for the cancellation of visas for those who publicly declare their support of the terrorist group.
Sen. Rubio went on Fox News to discuss this idea, providing the notion that this is already the law of the land, but it is not being enforced.
“Well, first of all, it’s the existing law of the country, right? Our laws basically say that you are inadmissible under a visa – student vias, to be a teacher here, to be a tourist – if you are a supporter of a designated terrorist group,” said Sen. Rubio.
The call to revoke visas from those who support terrorist groups came following the Israeli-Hamas conflict, which has entered its second week. Thousands of lives have been taken on both sides.
