Bipartisan Senators Introduce Legislation to Restore Dignity of National Cemeteries

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators from across the aisle have joined forces to introduce the Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes (RESPECT) Act, a legislation designed to extend the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) retroactive authority to disinter the remains of veterans from national cemeteries who would have been deemed ineligible due to a serious crime. The bill aims to correct the arbitrary cutoff for disinterment requests, ensuring that the process is available to everyone, including those whose cases date back to 1973.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RESPECT Act was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators, including John Cornyn (R-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Fetterman (D-PA), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
  • The legislation would grant the VA retroactive authority dating back to June 18, 1973, to reconsider burial eligibility determinations.
  • Currently, the VA can only reconsider eligibility determinations for cases dating back to 2013, creating unnecessary delays and inequities for families and victims' advocates.
  • There are at least seven outstanding disinterment petitions across multiple states, including Hawaii, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California.
  • Sen. Cornyn has previously introduced a bill to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota, an alleged serial murderer and convicted rapist, from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Statistics:

  • At least seven disinterment petitions are currently outstanding across multiple states.
  • The RESPECT Act would extend the VA's retroactive authority back to June 18, 1973.
  • The bill aims to correct statutory language to avoid constitutional challenges regarding tier III sex offender classification.
  • Sen. Cornyn previously introduced a bill to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota.

Sources:

  • Statement by Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX
  • Statement by Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-HI
  • Statement by Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL
  • The Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes (RESPECT) Act
  • National Cemeteries Act (June 18, 1973)