Bill · S. 3837· Senate(119-S-3837)
Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act
- Introduced
- 2/11/2026
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act," seeks to honor two fallen service members. It proposes designating the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Des Moines, Iowa, as the "Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar VA Clinic." Additionally, it proposes designating the community-based outpatient clinic in Marshalltown, Iowa, as the "Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic." Both individuals were Staff Sergeants with the Iowa National Guard who were killed in action in Syria in December 2025. The act includes provisions to update all official references to these facilities following their designation.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+2
The bill commemorates the sacrifice of fallen National Guard members by naming VA healthcare facilities after them.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+2
The bill honors fallen service members by designating specific VA clinics in Des Moines and Marshalltown after their service.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+1
The bill provides ceremonial recognition and honors for fallen members of the Iowa National Guard through the designation of VA clinics.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Commemoration of Fallen Heroes: The bill designates specific VA clinics in Des Moines and Marshalltown to honor Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard (Section 2 and Section 3). This serves to recognize their service and sacrifice while supporting counterterrorism operations.
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Official Recognition of Service: The act ensures that any legal or official records, maps, or documents will reflect the new clinic names (Section 2 and Section 3), providing a permanent way to honor the legacy of these service members in official United States records.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned or found within the provided text.
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+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 2/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa