ACES Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 530
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T15:38:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The ACES Act (H.R. 530) aims to investigate the health risks faced by military aircrew members, specifically the prevalence and mortality rates of certain cancers linked to their service. It also makes a minor adjustment to extend a deadline related to veterans' pension payments.
Key Provisions
- Study on Cancer Prevalence and Mortality:
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must seek an agreement within 30 days of enactment with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study.
- The agreement must be finalized within 60 days of starting negotiations; if delayed, the Secretary must report reasons to congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees and provide progress briefings every 60 days.
- The study focuses on "covered individuals," defined as active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who served as aircrew on fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., pilots, navigators, weapons systems operators, or other regular crew).
- Study elements include:
- Identifying exposures from military aircrew roles, such as chemicals, compounds, agents, or other hazards.
- Reviewing scientific literature to assess links between these exposures and overall cancer rates, as well as specific cancers like brain, colon/rectal, kidney, lung, melanoma skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pancreatic, prostate, testicular, thyroid, urinary bladder, and others deemed relevant.
- Estimating cancer prevalence and mortality using data from sources like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) databases, the National Death Index, and prior studies.
- Upon completion, the National Academies must submit a report to the VA Secretary and congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees.
- Extension of Pension Payment Limits:
- Amends Section 5503(d)(7) of Title 38, United States Code (which governs adjustments to veterans' benefits), by changing a deadline from November 30, 2031, to December 31, 2031. This extends temporary limits on certain pension payments.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new mandate for a specific cancer study on military aircrew, which did not previously exist in statute.
- Makes a one-month extension to an existing pension payment limitation date in 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7), providing a slight delay in when certain pension adjustments take effect.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA and DoD will need to provide data and resources for the study, potentially increasing administrative workload. The VA may face pressure to implement health policy changes based on study findings, such as expanded cancer screenings or presumptive service connections for benefits.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits military veterans who served as aircrew by potentially leading to better recognition of service-related cancers, which could improve access to VA healthcare, disability compensation, or treatment. The pension extension offers a short-term continuation of current benefit levels for affected veterans.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the legislation focuses on domestic U.S. military personnel and health research.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Military Veterans: Especially aircrew members from fixed-wing aircraft, who may gain evidence for health claims related to cancer.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for initiating the study, providing data, and potentially adjusting benefits based on results.
- Department of Defense (DoD): Must share personnel and health data to support the study.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Tasked with conducting the independent study.
- Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Receive reports, briefings, and the final study, influencing future legislation on veteran health.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the framework for evidence-based VA benefits by mandating scientific review, which could lead to new presumptive conditions for cancer under VA regulations (e.g., easier approval for disability claims without proving direct causation). The pension extension is a technical tweak that maintains stability in benefits without broader reform.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8 to provide for the armed forces and regulate benefits, posing no apparent conflicts.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan attention to veteran health issues, particularly occupational hazards in aviation roles. Findings could spark debates on military exposure accountability, influencing future defense and health funding priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Cosponsors (35)
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-05-05: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-05-05: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 5 (Roll no. 115). (text: CR H1815) (Roll call 115)
- 2025-05-05: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 5 (Roll no. 115). (text: CR H1815: 6) (Roll call 115)
- 2025-05-05: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1839-1840)
- 2025-05-05: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-05-05: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 530.
- 2025-05-05: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1815-1817)
- 2025-05-05: Mr. Bergman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-04-09: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2025-04-09: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-26: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2025-02-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Bill Versions
- ACES Act — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (8 pages)
- ACES Act — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (4 pages)
- ACES Act — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (6 pages)