Agent Orange Service Medal Act

Plain-English Summary

This bill would create a new military medal called the "Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal." The medal would be established to recognize and honor veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic chemical herbicide that was widely used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange has been linked to serious, long-term health problems for many veterans who came into contact with it.

The bill primarily affects veterans — particularly those who served in Vietnam or other locations where Agent Orange was used — who have been recognized as having been exposed to the chemical. By creating this medal, Congress would be formally acknowledging the service and sacrifice of these veterans, as well as the unique health burdens many of them have carried for decades as a result of their exposure during military service.

The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and sent to the House Committee on Armed Services for review, which is the standard first step in the legislative process. No further action has been taken on it yet. If passed into law, the Department of Defense would likely be responsible for issuing the medal to qualifying veterans or, in cases where veterans have passed away, potentially to their families.