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H.R. 8194House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Agent Orange Service Medal Act

Sponsored by Jefferson Van DrewRep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ)
Introduced April 2, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 13, 2026 at 2:13 AM UTC

The Agent Orange Service Medal Act creates a new commemorative military service medal to honor veterans who were exposed to herbicides during the Vietnam era or who receive compensation for such exposure. The Secretary of Defense is tasked with designing and producing the medal, and eligible veterans—or their next‑of‑kin if the veteran is deceased—can request it after certification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. An application process will be established so qualified individuals can apply for the medal.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Defense must design and produce the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal.
  • The medal is awarded to veterans who receive compensation under sections 1116, 1116A, or 1116B of Title 38, or who are defined as Vietnam‑era herbicide‑exposed veterans.
  • Veterans may request the medal, and the Secretary of Defense will issue it upon certification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  • If a qualified veteran is deceased, the Secretary of Defense may issue the medal to the veteran’s next‑of‑kin.
  • The Secretary of Defense must create and distribute an application for veterans and next‑of‑kin to apply for the medal.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

April 2, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 2, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

April 2, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 2, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8194

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 2, 2026

Mr. Van Drew (for himself and Mr. Courtney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To establish the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Agent Orange Service Medal Act.

2.

Establishment of the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal

(a)

Service medal required

The Secretary of Defense shall design and produce a commemorative military service medal, to be known as the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal, to honor a veteran who—

(1)

receives compensation under section 1116, 1116A, or 1116B of title 38, United States Code; or

(2)

is a Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veteran, as such term is defined in section 1710(e) of such title.

(b)

Distribution of medal

(1)

Issuance to certain veterans

At the request of an individual whom the Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies is a veteran described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall issue to the veteran the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal.

(2)

Issuance to next-of-kin

In the case of a veteran described in subsection (a) who is deceased, the Secretary of Defense may provide for issuance of the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal to the next-of-kin of the veteran.

(3)

Application

The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate as appropriate an application by which veterans described in subsection (a) and their next-of-kin may apply to receive the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal.