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Reps. Houlahan, Ryan, House Democratic Veterans Introduce “Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act,” Demand Trump and Hegseth Stop Hiding True Cost of Iran War

Washington, September 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Pat Ryan (NY-18) joined fellow House Democratic veterans in introducing legislation to honor the immense sacrifices made by US troops in the Iran War and stop Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s desperate attempts to obscure the true cost to our troops and the American people. The Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act would ban the Secretary of Defense from manipulating casualty records and jeopardizing the benefits of our servicemembers and public servants. The bill introduction comes after an unprecedented move by the Pentagon to recategorize recent casualties suffered in Trump’s Iran war, including four killed and over 200 wounded servicemembers, under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury in a shameless attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people.

The Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act is cosponsored by Representatives and Democratic veterans Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Jason Crow (CO-06), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Derek T. Tran (CA-45), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), and Salud Carbajal (CA-24).
 
“Every Patriot deployed to this war in Iran – the 50,000 still in theater, the hundreds wounded, and especially the 18 killed – are American heroes. They deserve to be honored as such – not swept under the rug by a President and SecDef so humiliated by their failure that they’d rather dishonor the troops than tell the truth,” said Rep. Ryan. “It’s a total betrayal of our armed forces by the very people that swore to protect and do right by them. I’m proud to lead so many of my fellow veterans in Congress to make it clear we will not stand for the Trump Administration’s disgraceful disrespect of American heroes – before, during, or after their deployments.” 
 
To ban the Secretary of Defense from hiding the true cost of war, the Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act specifically:
 
  • Bans arbitrary, unjustified recategorizing of designated contingency operations by prohibiting redesignating an ongoing conflict if the Administration continues to mobilize forces against the same enemy;
  • Prevents manipulation of casualty records by prohibiting manipulation of casualty records by falsely redesignating a contingency operation;
  • Restores casualty records of our fallen and wounded heroes in the Iran War by requiring restoration of casualty records for Iran-related operations since February 28, 2026, and notify next-of-kin about the correction;
  • Bans cutting hard-earned benefits for troops and civilian personnel by prohibiting the modification of eligibility for deployment-related personnel benefits on the basis of falsely redesignating a contingency operation; and
  • Restores benefits to personnel supporting Iran War by retroactively restoring all covered benefits entitled to members of the Armed Services and civilian employees who have supported Iran-related operations since February 28, 2026.
 
The legislation is endorsed by VoteVets and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

“Families who have lost a servicemember deserve an accurate, permanent record of their sacrifice. Congressman Pat Ryan's companion bill in the House helps ensure that record can't be rewritten. VoteVets is proud to support his leadership on this issue,” said Vote Vets Senior Advisor Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton.

“We are proud to stand with Congressman Ryan in demanding the Department of Defense be accountable and transparent in their decision to reclassify casualty records,” said Jess Finucan, Director of Policy & Advocacy for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “It is imperative to Congress and to the American people that we understand the true cost of war, not just in dollars but in lives forever affected. Purposefully reclassifying records to minimize the impacts of war is negligent and is a disservice to the servicemembers and families who have borne the costs. The Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act ensures transparent, accurate accounting and prevents long-term, negative impact on benefits for those who have served in harm’s way.”

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