H.R. 2192: Air America Act of 2025
Sponsor
Glenn Grothman
Republican · WI-6
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
Why it matters
Between 1950 and 1976, thousands of civilian pilots, crew, and support staff flew covert CIA missions across Southeast Asia — search and rescue, refugee evacuations, supply drops into hostile territory. They suffered high casualty rates, spent years abroad under dangerous conditions, and never received the benefits or recognition that military veterans got for the same wars. H.R. 2192 would finally pay them.
Air America was a CIA-owned airline that operated from 1950 to 1976, flying covert missions during the Vietnam War, the Laotian civil war, and other Cold War operations. Its employees were civilians — pilots, mechanics, loadmasters, office staff — who took on military-grade risk without military-grade protections.
The bill sets up a direct payment: $40,000 to anyone who worked for Air America or its affiliates for at least five years, plus $8,000 for each additional full year of service. Survivors of employees killed in Southeast Asia during CIA operations also qualify. If the worker is deceased, payment goes to widows, widowers, or dependents.
The covered affiliates include Air Asia Company Limited, CAT Incorporated, Civil Air Transport Company Limited, and the Pacific Division of Southern Air Transport. Intermountain Aviation employees may qualify on a case-by-case basis at the CIA Director's discretion.
Congress capped total payouts at $60 million. If valid claims exceed that, the CIA Director has to go back to Congress and request more funding. Claimants have two years from the date regulations are published to file, and the Director has 90 days to decide each case and 60 days after that to pay.
The bill caps attorney fees at 25% of any award — a protection against the kind of fee-gouging that targets elderly claimants in government payout programs. There is no judicial review of the Director's decisions, and the payment does not create any federal retirement, disability, or death benefits beyond the one-time award.
What does H.R. 2192 do?
$40,000 base payment for five or more years of service
Any U.S. citizen who worked for Air America or a covered affiliate for at least five years between 1950 and 1976 receives a $40,000 lump-sum payment, with an additional $8,000 per full year beyond five.
Survivors of employees killed in CIA operations can claim
Widows, widowers, dependents, and children of employees killed in Southeast Asia while supporting CIA operations are eligible for the same $40,000 base award.
$60 million cap on total payouts
Congress set a ceiling of $60 million for all awards under the bill. If claims exceed that amount, the CIA Director must request additional funding from Congress.
Two-year filing window with 90-day decisions
Claimants have two years from the date regulations are published to file. The CIA Director has 90 days to rule on each claim and 60 days after approval to issue payment.
Attorney fees capped at 25%
No agent or attorney can collect more than 25% of the award. Violations are punishable under federal criminal law.
Intermountain Aviation employees eligible case by case
The CIA Director may extend payments to Intermountain Aviation employees whose service matches the qualifying standard, decided individually rather than categorically.
Who benefits from H.R. 2192?
Surviving Air America employees
Pilots, crew, mechanics, and support staff — many now in their 80s and 90s — who served in CIA covert operations across Southeast Asia and never received veterans' benefits or formal recognition.
Families of employees killed during service
Widows, widowers, and children of Air America personnel who died in Southeast Asia during CIA operations. Some of these families have waited over 50 years for any official acknowledgment.
Veterans' advocates and Cold War historians
The bill creates an official congressional record that Air America existed, served U.S. interests, and suffered high casualties — facts that were classified for decades.
Who is affected by H.R. 2192?
The CIA Director's office
Responsible for writing regulations within 60 days, processing every claim within 90 days, issuing payments within 60 days of approval, and submitting semiannual reports to Congress until all funds are spent.
Congressional oversight committees
Six committees across both chambers receive reports, get notified of payment delays, and would need to approve additional funding if claims exceed the $60 million cap.
Future government contractors in covert programs
The bill establishes a precedent that civilian employees in classified government operations may eventually receive retroactive compensation, which could influence expectations for current and future covert programs.
H.R. 2192 Common Questions
How much would Air America veterans receive under H.R. 2192?
$40,000 as a lump-sum payment for anyone with at least five years of qualifying service, plus $8,000 for each additional full year beyond five. A 10-year veteran would receive $80,000.
Which companies count as Air America affiliates under the bill?
Air Asia Company Limited, CAT Incorporated, Civil Air Transport Company Limited, and the Pacific Division of Southern Air Transport. Intermountain Aviation employees may qualify case by case at the CIA Director's discretion.
Can families of deceased Air America employees get compensation?
Yes. Survivors of employees killed in Southeast Asia during CIA operations qualify for the full award. Payment goes first to the widow or widower, then to dependents or children in equal shares.
What documents prove someone worked for Air America?
Three types of records qualify: Air America or affiliate corporate records, U.S. government records, or personal records that the government verifies. Given that many company records were classified, government-held documentation may be the primary source for most claims.
How long would claimants have to file for Air America compensation?
Two years from the date the CIA Director publishes the application regulations, which must be finalized within 60 days of enactment. After filing, the Director has 90 days to decide and 60 days after that to pay.
Is there a cap on total Air America Act payouts?
Yes — $60 million. At the base rate of $40,000 per claimant, that covers roughly 1,500 recipients before the CIA Director would need to request additional funding from Congress.
Does the Air America Act create federal retirement or disability benefits?
No. The bill explicitly states it does not create federal retirement, disability, death, or any other benefits beyond the one-time lump-sum award. It also does not change the legal status of Air America or its affiliates.
Can you appeal if your Air America compensation claim is denied?
Not in court. The CIA Director's determination is final and not subject to judicial review. However, the bill requires the Director to establish appeal procedures within the agency, and Congress receives semiannual reports on denial rationales.
Based on H.R. 2192 bill text
Cost & Funding
Authorization: $60,000,000 cap
- —The bill caps total awards at $60 million. If claims exceed that, the CIA Director must request additional appropriations from Congress.
- —At the base rate of $40,000 per claimant, the cap covers roughly 1,500 recipients before additional funding is needed — though longer-tenured employees receive more ($8,000 per year beyond five), reducing that number.
- —The bill does not specify a funding source. Awards would come from appropriations to the CIA Director's office.
HR2192 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
About the Sponsor
Glenn Grothman
Republican, Wisconsin's 6th congressional district · 11 years in Congress
Committees: the Budget, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (170)
This bill has 170 cosponsors: 128 Democrats, 42 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 37 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and 34 more.
Adam Smith
Democrat · WA
Aumua Amata Radewagen
Republican · AS
Carlos Gimenez
Republican · FL
Paul Tonko
Democrat · NY
Derrick Van Orden
Republican · WI
Bill Foster
Democrat · IL
Pramila Jayapal
Democrat · WA
Valerie Foushee
Democrat · NC
Derek Tran
Democrat · CA
Bryan Steil
Republican · WI
David Valadao
Republican · CA
Dina Titus
Democrat · NV
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee
12 of 27 committee members cosponsored
13 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 2192 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Intelligence (Permanent Select)
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Mar 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
Mar 18, 2025
Constituent Resources
Official Sources
Official bill text, cosponsors, and legislative history for the Air America Act
Sponsor press release with 170 bipartisan cosponsors and bill background
The committee where H.R. 2192 is referred — markup scheduling is the key bottleneck
Federal retirement survivor annuity statute referenced in the bill's benefits framework
H.R. 2192 Bill Text
“To award payments to employees of Air America who provided support to the United States from 1950 to 1976, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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