U.S. Representative Ed Royce

Today, U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and U.S. Representative Janice Hahn (D-Carson) introduced the Veterans Dignified Burial Act, legislation spurred by recent reports of improperly handled veterans’ remains at the Los Angeles County Mortuary.

“Stories of unburied veterans’ bodies at the Los Angeles County Mortuary are deeply unsettling, and the result of loopholes in burial procedures at the VA. This bipartisan bill ensures the VA follows up on pending burials 30 days after the deceased has been confirmed as a veteran, so that we know he or she is treated with both dignity and respect," said Rep. Royce. "While the quality of healthcare that veterans receive has been in the news lately, our veterans deserve the same attention when it comes to their burial.”

“Our commitment to our nation’s heroes does not end at the battlefield’s edge. Rather, we must honor our promise to ensure they have the finest care and respect long after they return home. Failing to meet this promise to our veterans by letting them languish unburied is unacceptable,” Rep. Hahn added. “The legislation I have introduced today with Representative Royce will ensure that we never again allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of the dignity these men and women are owed.”

The bill calls for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to follow up on pending burials 30 days after a body has been identified as a veteran, which prevents the extended burial waiting times that have plagued the LA County mortuary. It also requires the VA to submit an annual report to Congress on deceased veterans who were interred after the 30 day reporting period, in an effort to provide lawmakers with a better understanding of the scope of this problem at mortuaries across the country.

Last month, Rep. Royce wrote VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve Muro in regards to the improperly handled bodies, seeking a comprehensive review of the process the VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) implements when it comes to veteran burials. Acting Under Secretary Ronald Walters responded this week confirming that he will institute a 30-day follow up period, though this is not a permanent procedure or codified rule as this legislation would make it.

For more information, contact:
Saat Alety (Royce) at Saat.Alety@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4111
Breelyn Pete (Hahn) at Breelyn.Pete@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-8220