Washington, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds and newly elected colleagues have called for an end to the Iran war, using Veterans Day to demand greater accountability over decisions putting American troops at risk and stronger protections for service members and their families.
Representative Chris Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Democrat and Iraq War veteran, announced the joint appeal on Wednesday, urging an end to the conflict and renewed commitment to veterans.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin and the party’s Veterans and Military Families Council co-chairs, Otto Lee and Marge Hoffa, backed the appeal, saying that honouring military service must also involve examining decisions that expose troops to danger.
They pledged to press for an end to the war while advocating lower costs, wider access to healthcare and stronger support for military families.
Separately, Senator Tammy Duckworth called on Congress to pass legislation extending healthcare and benefits protections to veterans exposed to toxic substances during the Iran war.
Speaking in Belleville, Illinois, on Veterans Day, Duckworth said her proposed New PACT for Iran Veterans Act would address gaps that could prevent returning personnel from receiving the care and benefits they have earned.
The legislation would establish a presumption of toxic exposure for veterans who served in Iran, including those operating in its airspace and territorial waters. It would also mandate periodic assessments of overseas assignments for toxic hazards and require a review within 180 days of the start of a military contingency operation.
“No servicemember should fight a war overseas only to come home and be faced with another battle to get the care they’ve rightfully earned through their service,” Duckworth said.
The measure remains proposed legislation and has not yet taken effect.
Meanwhile, the White House highlighted President Donald Trump’s Veterans Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, quoting his pledge that the United States would continue to fulfil its duty to those who served.
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