Welch Joins Duckworth, Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Ensure Iran War Veterans Are Covered Under PACT Act

About About Peter Committee Assignments My Work (so far) Combating Trump’s Illegal Agenda Issues News Press Releases Press Kit Services Newsletter Sign-Up Help with a Federal Agency Academy Nominations Congressionally Directed Spending Requests Flag Requests Flooding Resources Internships Resources Resources for Immigrants Scheduling Requests Visiting DC Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference Contact Email Peter Press Release Welch Joins Duckworth, Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Ensure Iran War Veterans Are Covered Under PACT Act Nov 11, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and eight Senate colleagues in introducing the New PACT for Iran Veterans Act, legislation that would ensure Iran Veterans are covered under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act . The Senators’ legislation would cut unnecessary red tape and make it easier for servicemembers who are being exposed to toxic substances to access the unique treatment they need when they return home. The PACT Act , which Senator Welch championed as a member of the House of Representatives, was signed into law by President Biden in 2022, To date, more than 7 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposures because of the PACT Act . The Vermont National Guard was deployed under federal active-duty mobilization to support operations in the Middle East. Adding Iran to the list of countries with presumed toxic exposure will ensure that Vermont veterans of this war received the benefits and care they need after potential exposure to toxic substances during their service. “The bipartisan PACT Act marked a historic step in ensuring that veterans and servicemembers exposed to toxic substances can get the care they need and deserve. But President Trump’s reckless decision to send thousands of U.S. service members into an unnecessary war in the Middle East means there’s a new generation of veterans facing conditions that could be hazardous to their health,” said Senator Welch . “We need to update our pact to servicemembers to ensure that Iran War Servicemembers and Veterans aren’t faced with red tape to get proper benefits and care once they come home.” “By establishing the landmark PACT Act , our nation finally helped generations of Veterans who suffered from toxic exposure in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan more easily access the care they needed after being stonewalled by bureaucratic tape for years,” said Senator Duckworth . “With a new generation of troops being thrown into another war in the Middle East, our nation must learn the lessons from previous conflicts and proactively ensure Iran Veterans don’tsuffer from those same mistakes. Our New PACT for Iran Veterans Act would ensure no servicemember fights a war overseas only to come home and be faced with another battle to get the care they’ve rightfully earned through their service. Congress must act to care for these heroes now—not later.” In 2022, the PACT Act helped generations of Veterans—from Vietnam to Iraq—more easily receive care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by establishing a list of locations where it is presumed by law that troops who served there were exposed to toxic hazards. However, Iran is currently not included on this presumed-exposure list, despite troops serving in the Iran War being exposed to many of the same hazards and President Trump’s refusal to rule out inserting ground forces into Iran. The New PACT for Iran Veterans Act would require the VA to add Iran to the list of covered locations and take more proactive action to ensure Iran War Veterans—and all Veterans who serve in future conflicts—don’t have to jump through bureaucratic hoops in order to access the care they’ve earned through their service. Specifically, the legislation would: Cut Red Tape for Iran War Veterans by statutorily presuming toxic substance exposure for Iran War Veterans, helping streamline their access to health care and benefits at VA. The bill would ensure that federal law protects all Veterans who fought in Iran, including those who operated in Iranian airspace and territorial waters. Leave No Veteran Behind by requiring for the first time, that the VA’s Military Environmental Exposure Sub-Council (MEESC) conducts studies at least every five years to review all overseas assignments for toxic substance exposures. Additionally, when the military begins a contingency operation, the VA must commence a similar review of the locations from which servicemembers support this operation within 180 days. This would ensure the VA proactively looks into whether servicemembers are being exposed to toxic hazards, for current and future assignments. Enhance Transparency at the VA by requiring the VA Secretary to publicly explain their justification for any denial of a country that’s recommended for presumed toxic-exposures in these reviews, or any removal of existing pre