H.R. 4910 - Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act, as amended

Floor Situation

On Monday, May 7, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 4910, the Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act, as amended, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on January 30, 2018 by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) and was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary              

H.R. 4910, as amended, would require the Department of the Interior to provide outer burial receptacles for veterans remains buried in open cemeteries under National Park Service control. The bill ensures that the use of outer burial receptacles in such cemeteries will be in accordance with regulations or procedures approved by VA or the Department of the Army.

Background

Current law requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an outer burial receptacle to a veteran buried in a national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration, a branch of the VA. Additionally, the VA can provide a reimbursement if the family chooses to purchase one in lieu of a government-furnished grave liner. National Park Service (NPS)-managed cemeteries; however, are not currently covered by this statute and neither the VA nor the NPS is able provide this benefit for veterans buried in those cemeteries. Of the 14 national cemeteries controlled by the NPS, two are still active: Andersonville National Cemetery in Georgia and Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Tennessee.[1]

According to the bill’s sponsor, “To honor the sacrifices and commitment of our veterans to our country, it is our duty as members of Congress to take care of our warfighters and their families. It is now more important than ever to close the gap in benefits for veterans who are buried in cemeteries managed by the National Park Service, and this bipartisan piece of legislation will ensure that all veterans and their families are receiving the benefits and respect they have rightly earned.”[2]

Similar legislation, S. 2372, passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on March 1, 2018.

 ​Cost

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate is not currently avalible. However, CBO has indicated that the introduced version of the bill would not have any direct spending or revenue effects. On a preliminary basis, CBO estimates that discretionary costs to NPS would be insignificant in each year, and less than $500,000 total over the 2019-2023 period.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Ryan Hofmann with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-6674.