Bipartisan Bill Aims to Expedite Access to POW/MIA Records

Legislation introduced by Senators Crapo and Shaheen seeks to streamline disclosure of military personnel records.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo of Idaho and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire seeks to improve access to records related to prisoners of war and service members listed as missing in action. The Bring Our Heroes Home Act would establish a centralized collection of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records at the National Archives and create an independent review board to oversee record identification and disclosure.

Why it matters

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency estimates that approximately 80,930 Americans remain unaccounted for from past conflicts, including 359 from Idaho. This legislation aims to reduce administrative barriers and improve transparency around these records to help provide closure for families.

The details

The proposed bill would require executive agencies to identify and transfer relevant records to the National Archives, and create an independent review board to oversee record identification, disclosure, and decisions regarding delayed declassification for national security purposes.

  • The legislation was introduced on February 25, 2026.

The players

Mike Crapo

U.S. Senator from Idaho, who co-introduced the Bring Our Heroes Home Act.

Jeanne Shaheen

U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, who co-introduced the Bring Our Heroes Home Act.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

The U.S. government agency responsible for accounting for missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts.

Charles Atteberry

A 2nd Lt. from Parma, Idaho who was missing since World War II and was recently identified through DNA testing.

Lloyd Atteberry

The brother of Charles Atteberry, who was reportedly shot down in 1943 and remains missing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Russ Fulcher of Idaho and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.

The takeaway

This bipartisan legislation aims to provide more transparency and access to records related to missing service members, which could help bring closure to the families of those unaccounted for from past conflicts.