Pfluger Votes to Fund Veterans Cancer Study and Military Construction Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) voted on the House Floor in favor of the FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. 

This package included funding for Rep. Pfluger's ACES Act—allocating the necessary funds to the VA to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the prevalence and mortality of cancers among individuals who served as active-duty aircrew in the Armed Forces.

"As a former fighter pilot, I am deeply committed to ensuring our service members are fully equipped and cared for," said Rep. Pfluger. "Our nation’s heroes serve with unparalleled bravery and selflessness to protect our freedoms, and they deserve nothing but the best in return. I proudly voted to approve the MilCon-VA appropriations package, which fully funds veterans’ health care, benefits, and critical VA programs, including funding for my top priority in Congress, the ACES Act, which passed the House and Senate earlier this year. This package also safeguards veterans’ Second Amendment rights and allocates necessary resources for military construction and infrastructure to support our cutting-edge weapon systems. Importantly, it also ensures that funds intended for our military are not diverted to nonsense DEI initiatives, illegal aliens, or transgender surgeries. I remain committed to fighting for the well-being of our service members and to guarantee they receive the highest standard of care after sacrificing so much.”

Background on Rep. Pfluger's ACES Act:

Pilots and aircrews have been found to have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and melanoma, with possible links to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer.

Earlier this year, Congressman Pfluger, a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, introduced the ACES Act alongside Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), a U.S. Navy Veteran, in the House. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK), both veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The ACES Act was introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses. 

The ACES Act directs the Secretary of the VA to study cancer incidences and mortality rates among aviators and aircrews who served in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This legislation is critical as it would improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks among Veteran aviators. By better understanding the correlation between aviator service and cancer, we can better assist our military and provide more adequate care for our veterans.

In March, Rep. Pfluger participated in the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs legislative hearing on several bills, including Rep. Pfluger's ACES Act. Additionally, Rep. Pfluger's good friend and fellow fighter pilot, Colonel Andy "Pablo" Shurtleff, appeared as a witness to the committee to share his story and explain the need and urgency for the ACES Act. Colonel Shurtleff was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer as a result of his service, and recently lost his life in this second battle he never anticipated having to fight. This bill is dedicated to his life and service.

Last month, the ACES Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 376-5. Colonel Shurtleff was able to witness this legislation pass through the House before his passing, and Rep. Pfluger intends to get this legislation across the finish line and signed into law in his honor. Following its passage in the House, the Senate unanimously passed the ACES Act.