A UH-1D helicopter from the 336th Aviation Company disperses a defoliant over farmland in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: U.S. Army/Spc. Brian K. Grigsby)

Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a $15 million bill to fund research into birth defects and health conditions affecting the children and grandchildren of Veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during military service.

The “Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act” seeks to investigate the generational effects of hazardous exposures in combat zones. The proposed studies, conducted by federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, would address gaps in understanding how these exposures have impacted future generations.

The bill has been included in appropriations measures currently moving through the Senate, allocating funds for both the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior. However, the House of Representatives has not introduced a companion bill. The legislation is named after Molly Loomis, who was born with spina bifida, a condition linked to her father’s exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Her father, a Vietnam War Veteran who served on the USS Ogden, experienced health issues related to toxic exposure, and the bill seeks to investigate similar conditions in the descendants of other toxic-exposed Veterans.

While there has been some research into the connection between toxic exposures and birth defects, government-led studies are lacking. Most current evidence is anecdotal, highlighting the need for more rigorous research. This bill would commission studies to focus on diagnosing and treating health conditions in the descendants of Veterans exposed to substances such as Agent Orange, radiation, and toxic chemicals from burn pits.

Mokie Porter, a representative of the Vietnam Veterans of America, stated that many children and grandchildren of Veterans are suffering from chronic health conditions likely related to their family members’ exposure to toxic substances. Porter emphasized the importance of new funding to allow universities, medical institutions, and nonprofit organizations to investigate the connection between toxic exposure and the health of future generations.

The VA currently recognizes conditions such as spina bifida in children of Vietnam-era Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, but research into the generational effects of toxic exposure remains limited. The bill, part of the broader PACT Act, which provides benefits to Veterans affected by toxic substances, would also establish a federal group to raise awareness of links between toxic exposures and health issues in descendants. Additionally, it would require that research findings and treatment information be made publicly accessible through a dedicated website.

Senator Tester noted the importance of investigating the health effects of toxic exposure on Veterans and their families. Senator Rubio stated that the legislation would empower research groups to further study the effects of military toxic exposure on future generations. Supporters of the bill believe that Veterans and their families have waited long enough for answers, and this research is a critical step toward understanding the full extent of these health issues.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.