U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) announced that two bipartisan bills he sponsored have been signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Trump signed last night. The two measures are the Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act and the Contaminated Wells Relocation Act.
“Thousands of Korean American families in Virginia and across the country have been forcibly torn apart from their loved ones by the Korean War for more than seven decades,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “This bipartisan law will bring these families one step closer to a long-overdue reunion. I thank all the Korean American families who have shared their stories with me and who helped get this legislation over the finish line.”
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) also commented on the new law: “I’ve heard from Korean Americans in Virginia about how their families were separated after the Korean War. That’s why I’m glad that my bipartisan bill to help facilitate their reunification passed and was signed into law.”
The newly enacted Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act directs the U.S. Department of State to gather information on Korean American families seeking to reconnect with relatives in North Korea, supporting future family reunions. It also instructs the State Department to prioritize progress on arranging such reunions during any bilateral talks with North Korea. Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) co-introduced this legislation.
Rep. Subramanyam addressed another local concern, stating, “The people in the town of Chincoteague will soon get some relief from unnecessary burdens to allow the town and NASA to come to an agreement on the costs of relocating contaminated water wells. Safe drinking water is a right, and I am glad this bipartisan, bicameral law will make life better for fellow Virginians.”
The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act, co-introduced with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), authorizes NASA to reimburse Chincoteague for expenses related to removing contaminated wells and relocating them away from groundwater pollution sources. This issue stems from fire training activities conducted by the Navy between the late 1970s and 1988 on Wallops Island using firefighting foam containing PFAS compounds.
