President Donald J. Trump has signed the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act into law, a measure aimed at reducing cancer rates among military aviators. The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress earlier this year, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study cancer incidences and mortality rates among aviators and aircrews who served in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), who has represented Texas’s 11th District since 2021 after replacing Mike Conaway, led the bill in the House alongside Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), both veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, championed the Senate version. Pfluger, a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, introduced the bill to honor his late friend Colonel Andy “Pablo” Shurtleff, a fellow fighter pilot who died from cancer linked to his service.
“I am thrilled that President Trump has signed the ACES Act into law today. This legislation is more than just a bill—it’s a lifeline and a message to every pilot who has put on the uniform to protect our skies that we will fight to protect their health in return. The ACES Act has been my top priority in Congress, and it is deeply personal to me. I introduced this bill in honor of my dear friend and former fighter pilot, Colonel Shurtleff, who recently lost his life in a second battle he never signed up to fight. We owe it to him, and every servicemember like him, to properly study the prevalence of military aviation cancer rates,” said Rep. Pfluger.
Rep. Panetta emphasized that many veterans face serious health risks: “Many veterans face serious health risks, including increased rates of cancer potentially linked to aviation service,” said Rep. Panetta. “With the ACES Act now signed into law, we can begin getting our aviators and their families the answers and care they deserve. This bipartisan achievement reaffirms our commitment to understanding these diagnoses and ensuring that military and VA providers have the data they need to better protect those who’ve served our nation.”
Senator Kelly added perspective as a former Navy pilot: “As a former Navy pilot, there are certain risks that we know and accept come with our service, but we know far less about the health risks that are affecting many aviators and aircrews years later,” said Sen. Kelly. “Veteran aviators and aircrews deserve answers about the correlation between their job and cancer risks so we can reduce those risks for future pilots. Getting this across the finish line has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and I’m proud to see this bill become law so we can deliver real answers and accountability for those who served.”
Senator Cotton also marked its significance: “The ACES Act is now the law of the land. I’m grateful to President Trump for signing it today and for all his ongoing support of our veterans. We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans,” said Senator Cotton.
Veteran organizations welcomed passage of this legislation as an important step forward for military healthcare research:
Vince Alcazar of MACH Coalition described it as “the most significant piece of military / Veteran aviator healthcare legislation ever passed,” highlighting that “The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will conduct a study to get to the root causes of our significantly elevated cancer rates.”
Rye Barcott from With Honor Action called attention to its impact: “With Honor Action celebrates the bipartisan ACES Act being signed into law… This marks an important step toward understanding and addressing elevated cancer risks faced by our nation’s military aviators… This legislation will help ensure that those who took to the skies in service receive answers and care they deserve.”
Jose Ramos with Wounded Warrior Project stressed ongoing advocacy: “Wounded Warrior Project has been pleased to support… Today we are grateful for leadership… The ACESActwill be a critical step toward ensuring that veterans receive timely diagnoses…”
Dr. Sheri Boucher from HunterSeven Foundation noted both personal experience as nurse/veteran/cancer survivor: “…The ACES Act is not just about research—it’s about giving our service members the future they earned… We commend Congress for its swift action…”
Theo Lawson from Fleet Reserve Association added appreciation for sponsors’ leadership: “…This vital legislation… directs critical research into cancer risks among military aircrew…”
Jim LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander at The American Legion remarked on broad support: “…The American Legion is proud… Its swift passage highlights importance/need for research into impacts of toxic exposures…”
Research indicates pilots/aircrews may have higher risk for cancers such as prostate cancer or melanoma; links have also been found with non-Hodgkin lymphoma/testicular cancer.
The bill was previously considered during House Committee hearings on veteran disability assistance where testimony highlighted urgent need for further investigation after cases like Col. Shurtleff’s diagnosis with aggressive cancer following his service.
In 2020 elections prior to leading this initiative,August Pfluger won decisively, securing nearly 80% against Jon Mark Hogg.Pfluger continues serving Texas’ 11th district since succeeding Mike Conaway.He has held office since 2021.
The new law aims not only at studying but ultimately improving outcomes for current/future generations serving as military aviators.
