Agent Orange Service Medal Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
- Committees
- Armed Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 2, 2026
Bottom line
The bill creates a new commemorative medal to recognize veterans affected by Agent Orange, with eligibility tied to existing veteran benefit classifications.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new commemorative military service medal, to be known as the "Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal." The Secretary of Defense is tasked with designing and producing this medal. It will be issued to veterans who receive compensation under specific sections of title 38, United States Code, related to Agent Orange exposure, or who are defined as Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans. The Secretary of Defense will issue the medal upon request and certification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and may also issue it to the next-of-kin of deceased eligible veterans.
Section 2
Establishment and Distribution of the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal
This section mandates the Secretary of Defense to create and produce a commemorative military service medal called the "Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal." The medal is intended for veterans who are receiving compensation for Agent Orange-related conditions under specific sections of title 38, United States Code, or who are classified as Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans. Upon request and certification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the medal will be issued to eligible living veterans or to the next-of-kin of deceased eligible veterans. The Secretary is also required to create an application process for the medal.
The bill defines eligibility for the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal by referencing specific sections of title 38, United States Code (sections 1116, 1116A, 1116B, and 1710(e)). These sections outline the conditions for compensation related to Agent Orange exposure and define 'Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veteran.'
Section 2(a)(1) and (2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure consistency with established legal definitions and avoid redundancy. It relies on existing, well-defined criteria for veteran benefits.
Case for: Referencing existing law ensures that the medal's eligibility aligns precisely with established definitions of Agent Orange exposure and related compensation, preventing new, potentially conflicting criteria from being created and leveraging existing administrative processes for certification.
Case against: A casual reader unfamiliar with title 38 would need to consult external statutes to fully understand the precise eligibility requirements, making the bill less self-contained and potentially requiring additional research to grasp the full scope of its impact.
Estimated impact: This mechanism impacts the scope of eligibility, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of veterans who meet the referenced criteria for Agent Orange exposure and related compensation.