Iowa Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Rename Two VA Clinics Honoring Fallen National Guard Members

Staff Sgts. Torres-Tovar, 25, and Howard, 29, were killed December 13, 2025 — the first Iowa National Guard members to die in action in 14 years

Approximately 1,800 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers were deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve when the attack occurred

The U.S. had approximately 900 troops in Syria at the time of the attack, down from a peak of more than 2,000

Estimates of active ISIS fighters in Syria range from roughly 2,500 to more than 5,000 as of 2025, depending on the source

Congress routinely passes VA facility renaming bills with bipartisan support — at least 5 became law in the 118th Congress alone