Jack Bergman (R-MI)
Veterans Cemetery Access Modernization Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill is known as the Veterans Cemetery Access Modernization Act. It aims to promote the establishment of veterans cemeteries across the country. The legislation gives priority to certain grant applications for building new cemeteries based on specific location and veteran population criteria. It also requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit regular reports to Congress and publish them online regarding areas with high numbers of underserved veterans. Additionally, the bill mandates annual proposals from the Secretary to establish at least three new national cemeteries in those identified areas.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly benefits veterans by prioritizing grants and planning for new cemeteries in areas currently lacking adequate access.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill promotes the establishment of new veterans cemeteries and prioritizes grants to improve burial access for underserved veterans.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The legislation expands and prioritizes burial and cemetery access benefits for veterans living in underserved areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) gives priority in grants to States and counties for establishing veterans cemeteries if the proposed site is within a certain driving distance of a population center where more than 10,000 veterans live who are currently more than 75 miles away from an open national or State veterans cemetery. This is positive because it helps bring burial options closer to veterans and their families who currently have to travel long distances.
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Section 2(b) requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress and publish it on a public website at least once every two years identifying areas with underserved veterans, including the number of veterans and their average driving distance to the closest cemetery. This creates accountability and transparency for the public regarding how the government is addressing veteran cemetery access.
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Section 2(c) requires the Secretary to submit an annual report containing proposals to establish at least three new national cemeteries located in the identified underserved areas. This forces officials to actively plan and propose new national cemeteries based on priorities like greatest driving distance and highest veteran population.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the text provided, there are no explicit sections or provisions that identify negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly benefits veterans by prioritizing grants and planning for new cemeteries in areas currently lacking adequate access.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill promotes the establishment of new veterans cemeteries and prioritizes grants to improve burial access for underserved veterans.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The legislation expands and prioritizes burial and cemetery access benefits for veterans living in underserved areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates regular reporting and public website publication regarding areas with underserved veteran populations and proposed cemetery locations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides frameworks for establishing cemeteries and infrastructure in underserved regions, which can include rural areas.
- 11/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House