Ahead of Veterans Day, Cantwell, Murray & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ensure Iran War Veterans Are Covered Under PACT Act

Sen. Maria Cantwell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 12 of her Senate colleagues in introducing new legislation that would ensure Iran veterans are covered under the PACT Act, cutting unnecessary red tape and making it easier for our warfighters who are being exposed to toxic substances to access the unique treatment they need when they return home.

“Since we first championed the PACT Act four years ago, an estimated 90,000 Washington veterans have already filed claims to secure treatment for exposure to toxic substances,” said Sen. Cantwell.

“The New PACT for Iran Veterans Act is a critical next step in this work, eliminating barriers to healthcare and disability compensation for veterans of the war with Iran and beyond.”

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, like burn pits. 

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 Donald 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 New PACT for Iran Veterans Act 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 service members 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 presumptions.

The bill introduction was led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). In addition to Sen. Cantwell, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

The legislation is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), VoteVets, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the American Legion.

“The PACT Act was a historic victory for veterans, but there is still much work to be done to ensure no veteran is left behind,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA. 

“We have repeatedly raised concerns about how changes to the classification of military operations and service members can have unintended consequences for veterans’ access to earned benefits."

“After Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans who came home sick from toxic exposure had to spend years fighting for their care,” said VoteVets senior advisor, Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton.

“Iran war veterans shouldn’t have to. The New PACT for Iran Veterans Act gets them covered now, not decades from now. Congress should pass it without delay.”

Veterans can find more information about benefits under the PACT Act and their eligibility on the VA's website,, or contact the VA by phone at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). Veterans can also file a claim online through the VA’s website.