National Cemetery Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5942
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-24T22:24:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The National Cemetery Access Act (H.R. 5942) aims to ensure that national cemeteries are accessible to the public on federal holidays, allowing visitors—such as families honoring deceased veterans—to pay respects without restrictions due to closures.
Key Provisions
- Mandated Open Access: All national cemeteries managed by the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or National Park Service (NPS) must be open to visitors on legal public holidays.
- Definition of Holidays: The holidays are those listed in section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, which include standard federal observances like New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "National Cemetery Access Act."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This legislation introduces a new requirement for mandatory public access on federal holidays, which may override any prior policies or practices allowing closures for maintenance, security, or staffing reasons in these cemeteries.
- It does not alter the core administration of cemeteries but standardizes visitor access across agencies without specifying exceptions (e.g., for weather or emergencies, which would likely be handled under existing agency rules).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD, VA, and NPS may face increased operational costs for staffing, security, and maintenance on holidays to accommodate visitors, potentially requiring budget adjustments or additional personnel.
- On Citizens: Veterans' families, active-duty personnel, and the public gain easier access to gravesites on meaningful holidays, promoting remembrance and national unity; this could enhance public engagement with military history.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic cemetery access.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Visitors and Families: Primary beneficiaries, including relatives of buried veterans who can visit on holidays without prior scheduling or travel disruptions.
- Government Agencies: DoD, VA, and NPS, responsible for implementation and compliance.
- Veterans and Military Community: Indirectly supported through improved access to honor the deceased, potentially boosting morale and public appreciation.
- Congressional Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, and Natural Resources, involved in oversight and referral for passage.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill creates a clear statutory mandate under federal law, enforceable through agency regulations; it references existing U.S. Code without conflicting with broader cemetery management statutes (e.g., those under 38 U.S.C. for VA cemeteries).
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it pertains to federal property management and does not infringe on free speech, religion, or other rights; it aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands and veterans' affairs.
- Political: Introduces bipartisan support (evident from multiple Republican sponsors) for veterans' issues, potentially serving as a low-controversy measure to demonstrate commitment to military families; passage could set a precedent for expanding public access to federal sites on holidays.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Cemetery Access Act — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (2 pages)