Legis Daily

Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada (FORGOTTEN) Veterans Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2220| Senate 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
Jacky Rosen

Jacky Rosen

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (2)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill mandates the Secretary of Defense to significantly expand the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) to comprehensively document all toxic exposures experienced by members of the Armed Forces, including those within the United States. This expansion will incorporate all-hazard occupational data, known environmental hazards, and detailed medical information related to toxic exposures, ensuring the ILER is available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon transition to civilian life. To improve internal processes and facilitate better care and benefits, the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must ensure the ILER is accessible to DoD and VA healthcare providers epidemiologists and researchers disability evaluation and benefits determinations specialists . Additionally, the bill requires documenting potential toxic exposure locations in service members' records, with provisions to protect classified information. A key provision establishes a presumption of toxic exposure for military members and civilian Department of Defense employees who have been stationed or employed at facilities covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. Crucially, the bill specifically addresses the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) , classifying it as a location where contamination occurred and directing the Air Force to identify all service members stationed there since January 27, 1951, without requiring individual evidence. For veterans who served at a covered location at the NTTR since January 27, 1951, the bill amends title 38, United States Code, to treat their service as a radiation-risk activity and establish a presumption of toxic exposure . Furthermore, it creates a presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for these specific veterans, facilitating access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Dec 10, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Mar 18, 2026
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • July 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • December 10, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • March 18, 2026
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Armed Forces and National Security

CancerHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth information and medical recordsNevadaRadiationRadioactive wastes and releasesVeterans' medical care

Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada (FORGOTTEN) Veterans Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2220| Senate 
| Updated: 3/18/2026
This bill mandates the Secretary of Defense to significantly expand the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) to comprehensively document all toxic exposures experienced by members of the Armed Forces, including those within the United States. This expansion will incorporate all-hazard occupational data, known environmental hazards, and detailed medical information related to toxic exposures, ensuring the ILER is available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon transition to civilian life. To improve internal processes and facilitate better care and benefits, the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must ensure the ILER is accessible to DoD and VA healthcare providers epidemiologists and researchers disability evaluation and benefits determinations specialists . Additionally, the bill requires documenting potential toxic exposure locations in service members' records, with provisions to protect classified information. A key provision establishes a presumption of toxic exposure for military members and civilian Department of Defense employees who have been stationed or employed at facilities covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. Crucially, the bill specifically addresses the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) , classifying it as a location where contamination occurred and directing the Air Force to identify all service members stationed there since January 27, 1951, without requiring individual evidence. For veterans who served at a covered location at the NTTR since January 27, 1951, the bill amends title 38, United States Code, to treat their service as a radiation-risk activity and establish a presumption of toxic exposure . Furthermore, it creates a presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for these specific veterans, facilitating access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Dec 10, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Mar 18, 2026
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • July 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • December 10, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • March 18, 2026
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jacky Rosen

Jacky Rosen

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (2)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
CancerHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth information and medical recordsNevadaRadiationRadioactive wastes and releasesVeterans' medical care