ACES Act of 2025
Congress Passes the ACES Act to Study Cancer Risks Among Military Pilots and Aircrew
Signed Into Law
This legislation has been enacted.
Legislative Progress
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Current active-duty aircrew members benefit indirectly because the study will identify chemical and environmental exposures tied to their jobs. The findings could lead to better safety protocols and protections for people still flying military aircraft, and could help them if they later file VA disability claims after leaving the service.
Programs
Disabilities
Milestones
Became Public Law No: 119-32.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Signed by President.
The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.
Presented to President.
Both chambers passed identical text. The President has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3487)
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
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.
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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ACES Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(3)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.