To amend title 4, United States Code, to ensure that a funeral honors detail recites the 13 Folds of Honor when presenting a flag of the United States in connection with the death of a member of the Armed Forces or veteran.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3583
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-17T08:07:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to honor deceased members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans by requiring a specific recitation—known as the "13 Folds of Honor"—during the presentation of a folded American flag at their funerals. It is dedicated to the 13 service members killed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021.
Key Provisions
- Recitation Requirement: Funeral honors details (teams that perform military funeral ceremonies) must recite a scripted 13-part explanation of the flag's folds when presenting a folded U.S. flag to the family of a deceased Armed Forces member or veteran. This applies to ceremonies conducted under relevant laws, such as those governing military honors (10 U.S.C. § 1491) or veterans' benefits (38 U.S.C. § 2301).
- Script Content: The recitation describes each fold symbolically, covering themes like life, eternal belief, veterans' sacrifices, faith in God, patriotism, allegiance, military protection, motherhood, fatherhood, biblical references (e.g., to King David and Solomon), eternity, and the national motto "In God We Trust."
- Exception for Families: The next of kin (immediate family) or their representative can choose to opt out of the recitation, making it voluntary for the family.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Section 11 to Chapter 1 of Title 4, United States Code (which governs the U.S. flag and its etiquette), mandating this recitation as part of standard funeral honors procedures.
- Previously, no federal law required a specific scripted recitation during flag presentations at military funerals; honors details followed general protocols for folding and presenting the flag, often including informal explanations but without this standardized, symbolic script.
- The change integrates a tradition (the "13 Folds of Honor") into federal code, ensuring consistency across ceremonies while allowing family opt-outs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would need to update training and guidelines for funeral honors details to include the recitation, potentially requiring minimal additional resources for scripting and delivery. This could standardize ceremonies nationwide.
- On Citizens: Families of deceased service members and veterans gain a formalized way to honor their loved ones through this patriotic and symbolic ritual, but with the flexibility to decline if it does not align with their preferences (e.g., due to religious or personal reasons).
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic funeral protocols for U.S. military personnel.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Funeral Honors Details: Primarily military personnel (active duty, reserves, or volunteers) who conduct the ceremonies and would be required to learn and recite the script.
- Families and Next of Kin: Immediate relatives of deceased Armed Forces members or veterans, who benefit from the honor but hold the power to opt out.
- Veterans and Military Community: Broader groups, including veterans' organizations, who may view this as a tribute to service and sacrifice.
- Government Entities: DoD and VA, responsible for implementing and overseeing military funeral honors.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a uniform federal standard for a ceremonial practice, potentially reducing variations in how flags are presented at funerals. The opt-out provision helps address enforceability by respecting family autonomy.
- Constitutional: The script includes religious references (e.g., to God, Christianity, and Judaism), which could raise First Amendment concerns about government endorsement of religion in official ceremonies. However, the voluntary nature (via family election) and ceremonial context may mitigate Establishment Clause issues, similar to existing military traditions like chaplains' invocations. No court challenges are anticipated in the bill text.
- Political: Reinforces national patriotism and remembrance of military losses, particularly the 2021 Kabul incident, which may appeal to bipartisan support for veterans. As an amendment to flag code, it symbolizes unity but could spark debate over injecting specific religious symbolism into secular government rituals.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 4, United States Code, to ensure that a funeral honors detail recites the 13 Folds of Honor when presenting a flag of the United States in connection with the death of a member of the Armed Forces or veteran. — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (4 pages)