Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
New PACT for Iran Veterans Act
A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the ``New PACT for Iran Veterans Act''. It makes changes to how the government handles toxic exposure for our service members. Specifically, it adds Iran to the list of locations for presumptions of toxic exposure. The bill also requires regular reviews of locations outside the United States where service members were stationed. Additionally, it requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish certain justifications on a publicly available website.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Veterans are directly helped by establishing toxic exposure presumptions for service in Iran and requiring regular reviews of overseas locations.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The Act significantly improves veterans' benefits by establishing presumptions of toxic exposure for service members stationed in Iran.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill improves veterans' healthcare by adding Iran to the list of locations for presumptions of toxic exposure and streamlining benefit access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) adds Iran to the list of locations under section 1119(c)(1)(B) of title 38, United States Code, for presumptions of toxic exposure. This is positive because it can help veterans who served in Iran get recognition and benefits for toxic exposures more easily.
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Section 2(b) requires a working group to review locations outside the United States every five years and within 180 days after a contingency operation starts to assess cases of toxic exposure for veterans and their dependents. This ensures that the government regularly checks on the health risks service members face overseas.
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Section 2(c) and Section 2(d) require the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish justifications for not establishing or for removing presumptions of toxic exposure on a publicly available website. This provides transparency so the public and our elected officials can hold the agency accountable for these decisions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans are directly helped by establishing toxic exposure presumptions for service in Iran and requiring regular reviews of overseas locations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The Act significantly improves veterans' benefits by establishing presumptions of toxic exposure for service members stationed in Iran.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill improves veterans' healthcare by adding Iran to the list of locations for presumptions of toxic exposure and streamlining benefit access.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish justifications regarding toxic exposure presumptions on a publicly available website.
- 11/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont