# 119-hr-4398: Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act

119-hr-4398, Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6] (R-MN); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4398
- As of: 2026-10-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4398
- Congress: 119
- Title: Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-07-15
- Sponsor: Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6] (R-MN)
- Cosponsors: 158
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-30

## Summary

**48-hour certification deadline** for VA clinicians to sign death certificates for veterans who die of natural causes, plus annual reports tracking compliance and reasons for delays. The bill aims to reduce long waits that block burials and survivor benefits.

## Cosponsors (158)

- Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14] (R-PA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2] (R-NY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4] (R-TN), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11] (R-NY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] (R-NY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1] (R-NY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3] (R-AR), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27] (R-FL), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8] (R-MN), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4] (R-MO), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3] (R-WI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2] (R-OH), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] (R-NY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1] (R-ID), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] (R-NE), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] (R-WA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1] (R-FL), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7] (R-PA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1] (R-MN), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] (R-UT), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21] (D-CA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] (R-CA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40] (R-CA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7] (R-SC), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8] (R-WI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large] (R-GU), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2] (D-HI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] (R-AZ), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6] (R-TN), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5] (R-AL), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2] (R-KY), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1] (R-WI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2] (R-MI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (R-IA), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7] (R-MN), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7] (R-WI), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (R-TX), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1] (R-NE), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2] (R-WV), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8] (R-AZ), 2025-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21] (R-FL), 2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4] (R-OK), 2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12] (R-TX), 2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), 2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6] (R-FL), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (D-NY), 2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1] (R-AR), 2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] (R-KS), 2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (R-GA), 2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9] (D-CA), 2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3] (R-CO), 2025-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), 2025-07-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13] (D-CA), 2025-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] (R-SC), 2025-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2] (R-AZ), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] (R-PA), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23] (R-CA), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] (D-NY), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11] (D-OH), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2025-08-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), 2025-08-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] (R-WY), 2025-08-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2025-08-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (D-NV), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-FL), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (D-PA), 2025-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10] (D-VA), 2025-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC), 2025-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] (R-NE), 2025-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7] (D-VA), 2025-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] (R-WI), 2025-09-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5] (R-VA), 2025-09-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13] (R-NC), 2025-09-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] (D-PA), 2025-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13] (R-FL), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2] (R-IA), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6] (R-NC), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38] (R-TX), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3] (R-SC), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (R-NY), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10] (R-OH), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11] (R-GA), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7] (R-NJ), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7] (R-OH), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7] (R-MI), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] (R-OH), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4] (D-NY), 2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8] (R-CO), 2025-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8] (R-IN), 2025-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3] (D-WA), 2025-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] (R-MD), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7] (R-GA), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] (R-VA), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5] (R-WI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (D-CO), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (D-CA), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27] (D-CA), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19] (D-NY), 2025-12-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] (R-TX), 2025-12-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] (D-OH), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1] (D-NC), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8] (D-MI), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1] (R-SC), 2026-01-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large] (R-AS), 2026-01-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18] (R-FL), 2026-02-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK), 2026-02-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] (D-NY), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9] (R-AZ), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8] (R-FL), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2] (R-KS), 2026-05-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3] (D-KS), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2] (R-OR), 2026-05-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] (D-CA), 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] (D-CA), 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] (D-OH), 2026-05-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (D-CT), 2026-05-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10] (D-WA), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2026-06-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] (D-CA), 2026-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), 2026-06-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] (D-CO), 2026-07-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5] (D-OR), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] (D-NY), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25] (D-CA), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4] (R-IN), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6] (R-TX), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (D-CO), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (D-TX), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28] (R-FL), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7] (D-CO), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8] (R-TX), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] (D-AZ), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] (R-FL), 2026-09-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13] (R-TX), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1] (D-RI), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10] (D-IL), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Faster death certificates for veterans: benefit, low. This bill would require a VA doctor or nurse practitioner who was the veteran’s primary care provider to sign the death certificate within 48 hours after learning the veteran died of natural causes. If the VA provider could not meet the 48-hour window, the local coroner or medical examiner could si…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
- 119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act
- 119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-4382: America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4398 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4398)

## Related
- [119-hr-979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-979)
- [119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1422)
- [119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2102)
- [119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage A…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-842)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-4382: America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4382)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4398 (as of 2026-10-30).