Only the left has signed this so far (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 2721 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
1 member · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 0 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. (D-NY) (Introduced 04/08/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.38 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 1 member signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee |
| Latest Action | 09/17/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Roll Call Votes | 1 |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in House (04/08/2025)
Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement a two-year pilot program to furnish, when requested, an appropriate headstone or burial marker to commemorate covered veterans. Covered veterans are veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and were released or discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Currently, these benefits are only available to eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990.
The bill requires the VA to update the National Cemetery Administration website with respect to the requirements for eligibility for a headstone or burial marker.
119 HR 2721 EH: Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 2721
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025.
2.Temporary authority to furnish headstones and burial markers to certain veterans (a)AuthorityDuring the period of seven years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish, pursuant to section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, and without regards to section 8041(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508), an appropriate headstone, burial marker, or medallion for a veteran— (1)eligible for burial in a national cemetery; (2)who died on or after December 7, 1941; and (3)for whose grave the Secretary has not already provided a headstone, burial marker, or medallion. (b)WebsiteDuring such period, the Secretary shall ensure that the website of the National Cemetery Administration indicates the effect of this Act on eligibility for a headstone, burial marker, or medallion under such section.
3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting February 29, 2032. Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 2721 IH: Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-04-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2721IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 8, 2025Mr. Kennedy of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025.
2.Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to furnish headstones and burial markers to covered veterans (a)In generalThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, shall establish and carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an appropriate headstone or burial marker for the purpose of commemorating a covered veteran. (b)ApplicationsAn individual desiring to request a headstone or marker for the purpose of commemorating a covered veteran under such pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application in such time, in such form, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c)Update to eligibility requirementsDuring the period the authority to carry out the pilot program under this section is effective, the Under Secretary shall update the internet website of the National Cemetery Administration with respect to the requirements for eligibility for a headstone or burial marker under the laws administered by the Secretary. (d)Termination dateThe authority of the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e)Covered veteran definedIn this section, the term covered veteran means a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) who died on or before November 1, 1990.
101 HR 2721 : Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2721IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 17 (legislative day, September 16), 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACTTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025.
2.Temporary authority to furnish headstones and burial markers to certain veterans(a)AuthorityDuring the period of seven years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish, pursuant to section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, and without regards to section 8041(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508), an appropriate headstone, burial marker, or medallion for a veteran—(1)eligible for burial in a national cemetery;(2)who died on or after December 7, 1941; and(3)for whose grave the Secretary has not already provided a headstone, burial marker, or medallion.(b)WebsiteDuring such period, the Secretary shall ensure that the website of the National Cemetery Administration indicates the effect of this Act on eligibility for a headstone, burial marker, or medallion under such section.3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting February 29, 2032.Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
101 HR 2721 RH: Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-15 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 230119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2721[Report No. 119–274]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 8, 2025Mr. Kennedy of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsSeptember 15, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 8, 2025A BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025.
2.Temporary authority to furnish headstones and burial markers to certain veterans(a)AuthorityDuring the period of seven years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall furnish, pursuant to section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, and without regards to section 8041(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508), an appropriate headstone, burial marker, or medallion for a veteran—(1)eligible for burial in a national cemetery;(2)who died on or after December 7, 1941; and(3)for whose grave the Secretary has not already provided a headstone, burial marker, or medallion.(b)WebsiteDuring such period, the Secretary shall ensure that the website of the National Cemetery Administration indicates the effect of this Act on eligibility for a headstone, burial marker, or medallion under such section.3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting February 29, 2032.September 15, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 04/08/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 04/08/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 04/08/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| 04/22/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. |
| 06/24/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 07/03/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged |
| 07/23/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 07/23/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. |
| 09/15/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-274. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-274. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 230. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4286) |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2721. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. |
| 09/16/2025 | House floor actions | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4330) |
| 09/16/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 269). (text: 09/16/2026 CR H4286) |
| 09/16/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 269). (text: 09/16/2026 CR H4286) |
| 09/16/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 09/17/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes. |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 |
| Display Title | Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a pilot program to furnish a headstone or burial marker to veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and for other purposes. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
There are no cosponsors of this bill.
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 09/17/2025 Referred To |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 09/15/2025 Reported By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 07/23/2025 Markup By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 07/03/2025 Discharged from |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 04/08/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 2721.
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.