Congress·Enacted·S. 201

Congress Passes the ACES Act to Study Cancer Risks Among Military Pilots and Aircrew

ACES Act of 2025

7 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: ACES Act of 2025

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Signed Into Law

This legislation has been enacted.

Legislative Progress

✓ Senate

✓ House

✓ President

✓ Law

Key Points

This law, called the ACES Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire outside experts to study why military pilots and aircrew members are getting cancer. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will look at how often these service members get sick and how many have died from the disease.
The study focuses on anyone who served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as part of a fixed-wing aircraft crew. This includes pilots, navigators, and weapons operators who flew regularly. Researchers will look for links between their military jobs and specific cancers like lung, prostate, and skin cancer.
Many veterans believe that working around jet fuel, radar equipment, and other chemicals in planes caused them to get sick. This study aims to find out if there is a real connection between these toxic exposures and 12 specific types of cancer, which could eventually help veterans get better healthcare and benefits.
The VA must start setting up this study within 30 days of the bill becoming law. While the bill doesn't list a specific price tag, it uses existing government data from the VA and the Department of Defense to help find answers as quickly as possible.

VeteransHealthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

7 milestones19 actions

Aug 14, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-32.

Aug 14, 2025

Signed by President.

Aug 12, 2025House

Presented to President.

Jul 21, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jul 21, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3487)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 90 days of enactment (roughly November 2025)

VA must begin negotiations with the National Academies to set up the cancer study

The clock starts on getting this research underway — the VA has 30 days from enactment to reach out, then 60 more days to finalize the agreement

Likely 2-4 years after study begins (estimated 2027-2029)

National Academies complete the study and deliver their report to Congress and the VA

The findings will show whether military aircrew face higher cancer risks, which could lead to new benefits or healthcare coverage for affected veterans

Related News

2 articles

Military.com·7 months ago

Cancer in Military Pilots and Aircrews Will Be Studied Under Newly Signed Law

A new law signed by President Trump mandates an independent study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine into cancer rates among military fixed-wing pilots and aircrews. The study aims to determine if aviation-related exposures are linked to 12 specific types of cancer.

Odessa American·almost 3 years ago

Higher cancer rates found in military pilots, ground crews

An Associated Press report highlights a Pentagon study finding high cancer rates among military pilots and ground crews. The article notes that Rep. August Pfluger reintroduced the ACES Act to mandate further research into these toxic exposures and their long-term health impacts on veterans.