King, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Extending Toxic Exposure Benefits to Iran Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC), is introducing new legislation to ensure Iran War Veterans who later experience illnesses due to toxic exposures are eligible for the same care and benefits under the PACT Act as servicemembers involved in other conflicts. The New PACT for Iran Veterans Act builds on the landmark protections established by the 2022 legislation, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, helping generations of veterans suffering from toxic exposure receive their earned healthcare and benefits.

The PACT Act of 2022, cosponsored by Senator King, empowered the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a list of locations where it is legally assumed troops were exposed to toxic substances, thus expanding VA benefits eligibility to support veterans exposed to toxic hazards like burn pits and Agent Orange. The New PACT for Iran Veterans Act is seeking to extend those same commitments to veterans who served in Iran.

"Our veterans deserve access to prompt, timely healthcare - regardless of the conflict and country where they serve for our country," said Senator King. "Just as the PACT Act represented a historical milestone for Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan veterans, our New PACT for Iran Veterans Act will ensure that the VA recognizes the unique current toxic exposure risks of our service members sacrifice and guarantee they receive the support they have earned, without delay."

Specifically, New PACT for Iran Veterans Act would:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

King is joined on the legislation by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), 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) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Representing one of the states with the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King has worked to provide America's veterans with the resources and support they deserve. In March, Senator King was honored by The American Legion with its 2026 Distinguished Public Service Award. Last year, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. He was also recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his "outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans."