MN Senate OKs partial veteran benefits for Hmong CIA 'Secret War' soldiers
Minnesota senators approved partial veteran status and some benefits for Hmong fighters who served with the CIA in Laos. The state Senate voted to grant burial privileges at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries and veterans' preference in state hiring and promotion decisions.
About 1,000 surviving members of the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units now living in Minnesota received a standing ovation on the Senate floor. Lawmakers and supporters framed the vote as an acknowledgment of the so-called "Secret War" in Laos and the allies' sacrifices during a Cold War covert campaign.
The Minnesota House still must pass the bill before it becomes law, but leaders described passage there as expected soon. Supporters say the package offers symbolic recognition and practical help, while advocates have long pushed for fuller federal veteran status and additional benefits.
📌 Key Facts
- The Minnesota Senate has formally approved a bill granting partial veteran status and specific benefits to Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) soldiers who fought alongside the CIA in Laos.
- The benefits package includes burial privileges at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries.
- The benefits package also includes veterans’ preference in Minnesota state hiring and promotion decisions.
- Roughly 1,000 surviving SGU veterans are living in Minnesota, and the Senate gave them a standing ovation on the floor.
- The bill still must be passed by the Minnesota House, but its passage there is described as expected soon.
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- The Minnesota Senate has formally approved a bill granting partial veteran status and specific benefits to Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) soldiers who fought alongside the CIA in Laos.
- The package includes burial privileges at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries and veterans’ preference in state hiring and promotion decisions.
- Roughly 1,000 surviving SGU veterans are living in Minnesota, and the Senate gave them a standing ovation on the floor.
- The House still must pass the bill, but passage there is described as expected soon.