Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act of 2026

This bill would bar the Secretary of Defense from renaming or reclassifying an ongoing contingency operation while U.S. troops are still engaged against the same enemy, including during a ceasefire or negotiations. It would require that military deaths and wounds stay attributed to the operation in which they occurred, and it would bar changing casualty records or resetting casualty counts because an operation was renamed or because hostilities were declared over, except to correct documented factual errors. It would also bar changing troops' and civilian employees' benefit eligibility, such as awards, leave, and pay, based only on such a renaming. Within 30 days, the Defense Department would have to restore casualty records and benefits changed since February 28, 2026, related to U.S. military activities against Iran, and notify affected families and personnel in writing.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Tammy Duckworth Democrat sponsor
• 17 cosponsors