Bill · S. 2220· Senate(119-S-2220)
Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada (FORGOTTEN) Veterans Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/9/2025
- Last activity
- 3/18/2026 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Jacky Rosen
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2025 requires the Department of Defense to expand tracking and recordkeeping regarding toxic exposures for members of the Armed Forces. It ensures these exposure records are made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs and relevant health care, research, and benefits professionals. The bill establishes presumptions of toxic exposure for military members and civilian defense employees stationed at certain Department of Energy facilities. Additionally, it classifies the Nevada Test and Training Range as a location where contamination occurred and where members were exposed to toxic substances. Finally, the legislation updates Department of Veterans Affairs rules to treat certain activities at the Nevada Test and Training Range as radiation-risk activities and establishes specific presumptions of service connection for conditions like lipomas and tumor-related conditions.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+9
The bill significantly expands benefits and medical documentation for service members and veterans exposed to toxic substances.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+8
The bill expands documentation of toxic exposures and establishes presumptions of service connection to improve healthcare and benefits for veterans.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+8
The act creates new presumptions of exposure and service connection that directly benefit veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: Expanding the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record ensures that all toxic exposures, occupational data, and related medical information are fully documented and shared with the Department of Veterans Affairs when service members transition to civilian life, which helps streamline healthcare and benefits determinations.
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Section 3: Presuming toxic exposure for Armed Forces members and Department of Defense civilian employees stationed at covered Department of Energy facilities relieves these individuals from the burden of proving exposure when seeking help for related health issues.
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Section 4: Requiring the Secretary of the Air Force to actively identify members and former members stationed at the Nevada Test and Training Range since January 27, 1951—without requiring the veterans to submit their own evidence—eases the administrative hurdle for those seeking recognition of their service in contaminated areas.
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Section 5 and Section 6: Updating the rules to explicitly include onsite participation or duty station assignments at covered locations within the Nevada Test and Training Range as radiation-risk activities and toxic exposure locations helps veterans access crucial Department of Veterans Affairs presumptions.
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Section 7: Establishing a direct presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for covered veterans assigned to the Nevada Test and Training Range gives those individuals a clearer path to obtaining disability benefits.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+9
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+8
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
- 7/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota