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119-s-2807119th Congress

RESPECT Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

In Committee

Summary

Limits VA reconsideration of national cemetery interments to decisions made on or after June 18, 1973. It also updates how the law points to the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and removes a conforming subsection of the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act.

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  • Families with relatives interred before June 18, 1973 will face fewer administrative reviews because VA can only reconsider decisions made on or after that date.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs reviewers will be limited to post-1973 cases when deciding whether to inter remains or honor someone's memory in a national cemetery.
  • The statute's cross-reference to who qualifies as a Tier III sex offender is changed to point to section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, aligning the code with the current federal definition.
  • The bill strikes a subsection of the Koehl Act to make the statutory text consistent with these edits.
  • The amendments are procedural and textual only and do not authorize new funding or create new programs.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits VA review of burial decisions

If enacted, VA would only be able to reopen burial or memorial decisions made on or after June 18, 1973. Decisions made before that date could not be reconsidered. The change would take effect when the bill is enacted.

Change to tier III burial rule for veterans

If enacted, VA would use the tier III definition in SORNA section 111 (34 U.S.C. 20911). This would change how VA decides if someone is barred from burial or memorial honors in a national cemetery. The change would apply when the bill is enacted.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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