This bill, introduced by Senator Ernst, would rename two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics in Iowa to honor local National Guard members who died while serving overseas.
The VA clinic in Des Moines would be renamed the 'Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar VA Clinic' to honor a local soldier who was the first in his family to serve in the military.
The VA clinic in Marshalltown would be renamed the 'Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic' to honor a soldier who enlisted at age 17 and served multiple deployments.
Both men were members of the Iowa National Guard and were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025, while supporting counterterrorism operations.
This is a ceremonial change that would update official signs, maps, and government records, but it does not change the medical services or benefits offered at these locations.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Feb 11, 2026Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act
Bill NumberS 3837
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
