Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 17 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1764)
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Agent Orange Relief Act of 2025 directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs to assist individuals impacted by Agent Orange exposure. The bill aims to provide benefits to the children of male Vietnam veterans who were born with certain birth defects. It also mandates support for research into the intergenerational health effects of these herbicides. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with assessing the health of Vietnamese Americans and their descendants. The Act establishes a timeline for implementation and requires regular progress reports to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides crucial health support and potential benefit expansions for children affected by Agent Orange.
- Scored +8
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill expands health benefits and research support for children of male Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The act expands benefit eligibility for children of veterans affected by chemical exposure.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill requires healthcare providers to allow access to medical records for research purposes.
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill mandates access to personal medical records for research purposes.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded benefits for children of veterans: The bill amends existing law to ensure that the children of male Vietnam veterans can receive benefits for certain birth defects, addressing a current discrepancy where only spina bifida was recognized for male veterans' children. (Section 3)
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Increased research capabilities: By requiring healthcare providers to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs access to medical records, the bill facilitates research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange. (Section 3)
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Improved treatment through surveys: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must conduct a survey of affected children to determine if they are receiving adequate treatment and recommend actions to fix any deficiencies. (Section 4)
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Targeted health support for Vietnamese Americans: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will provide grants for broad health assessments and establish centers in areas with large Vietnamese American populations to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment. (Section 5)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Mandatory medical record access: Healthcare providers contracted with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will be required to provide access to the medical records of individuals receiving care for the purpose of research. (Section 3)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides crucial health support and potential benefit expansions for children affected by Agent Orange. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically funds health assessments and centers for the Vietnamese American community. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly addresses the health needs and legacies of Vietnam veterans and their families. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — It addresses the medical and developmental needs of those affected by herbicide exposure. Would men be better off under this? — It provides long-awaited parity for the children of male veterans. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The provision of benefits and health assessments can provide significant financial and medical relief.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill expands health benefits and research support for children of male Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill directs federal agencies to support research into the intergenerational health effects of Agent Orange. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — It mandates the establishment of health assessment centers and specialized treatment for impacted populations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill corrects a gender-based discrepancy in benefits by extending coverage to children of male veterans. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — It addresses the needs of individuals suffering from developmental disabilities caused by herbicide exposure.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The act expands benefit eligibility for children of veterans affected by chemical exposure.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — It provides a framework and support for research into the health effects of Agent Orange. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill requires healthcare providers to allow access to medical records for research purposes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill addresses the lingering health impacts of environmental contamination from herbicides.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires quarterly progress reports to be submitted to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — It increases the mandate of the VA and HHS to conduct health assessments and research. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill mandates access to personal medical records for research purposes.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 6/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1764)
- 4/28/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Rosa DeLauroDemocrat · Connecticut
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan