Sergeant Dave Crete FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced
Summary
Expanded presumptions that veterans who served at specified Nevada test sites and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act locations were exposed to toxic substances. This bill would set rules to identify affected service, create a VA registry, require DoD classification of contaminated sites, and direct a coordinated study of exposures and cancer outcomes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More VA coverage for radiation exposures
If enacted, the bill would expand VA presumptions so some service counts as radiation-risk service. Veterans who served at any time at facilities on the Energy Employees list would be covered. Veterans who served on or after January 27, 1951 in the Nevada Test and Training Range or the Nevada National Security Site would also be covered. Service in or above those sites, or working onsite building, operating, or maintaining a Nevada-area military installation from January 27, 1951 until DoD certifies the area safe (or the law is enacted), would be treated as radiation-risk activity.
VA registry to find exposed veterans
If enacted, VA would set up a Covered Location Veteran Registry and would recruit veterans who served at covered locations. Participation would be opt-out. VA and DoD would use DoD personnel and deployment records plus registry information to identify veterans and verify service. DoD would classify the Nevada test range and facilities on the Energy Employees list as locations where contamination occurred, try to identify personnel without requiring proof of stationing, accept documentation veterans provide, and share its findings with VA. If service at a covered location is shown, VA would not be able to require proof you were exposed to a specific toxic substance.
Study of toxic exposures at covered sites
If enacted, VA, working with DoD, would try within 180 days to hire HHS or another scientific group to study toxic exposures at covered locations. The study would identify exposures tied to military jobs and review links to overall cancer illness and death. It would use VA, DoD, military health data, and the National Death Index where possible. DoD funds authorized for the study could be moved to HHS without regard to 10 U.S.C. 2215. The study group would report results to VA, congressional veterans committees, and national science bodies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 6/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov