U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said on Oct. 28 that they proposed a bipartisan resolution to recognize October 2025 as National Military Toxic Exposures Awareness Month.
The resolution would highlight the impact of toxic exposures on United States military veterans, service members, their families, and survivors.
“For decades, veterans and service members have been exposed to potentially harmful toxins during their service to our nation,” Sen. Moran said. “Our resolution encourages greater public awareness of military toxic exposures, demonstrates support for affected service members and veterans, and reinforces our commitment to preventing future toxic exposures.
“We also urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to continue researching military toxic exposures and highlight the care and resources available to veterans and their families,” he said.
Military toxic exposures date back more than a century from the use of chemical warfare in World War I, to tactical herbicides and Agent Orange in the Vietnam War, to exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other conflicts, according to the text of the resolution.
“Military personnel shield us from those who wish to harm us,” said Sen. Cassidy. “Let us care for those who have been our shield.”
If enacted, the resolution would acknowledge “the profound impacts of military toxic exposures” on generations of veterans and military families that have created the persistent and urgent need for enhanced public awareness and preventative health measures, the text says.
The resolution also would highlight the historical significance of toxic exposure during service in the U.S. Armed Forces, raise awareness of toxic exposure, and commend the work of veterans and veterans’ advocates in this area, the text says.
Additionally, the resolution calls upon the U.S. Department of Defense to reinforce the commitment by the federal government to prevent future incidents of toxic exposure among members of the Armed Force.
“Veterans exposed to radiation and toxic chemicals in service to our nation deserve both the care they need and the recognition they have earned,” said U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who is helping introduce the resolution.