Bill · S. 2807· Senate(119-S-2807)
RESPECT Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/16/2025
- Last activity
- 3/18/2026 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes Act of 2025," seeks to amend title 38 of the United States Code. It focuses on modifying how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of the Army can reconsider decisions regarding the interment of remains or honoring a person's memory in a national cemetery. The legislation specifically updates the applicability of these reconsideration authorities. Additionally, it makes changes to the language used regarding sex offender definitions. Finally, it includes a conforming repeal of a specific subsection in a previous law.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?-3
The bill modifies the timeframe for reconsidering cemetery interment decisions, which may impact the ability of veterans or their families to contest older decisions.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?-3
The bill limits the authority to reconsider decisions regarding cemetery interments to those made on or after June 18, 1973.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Updated Legal Definitions: The bill updates language regarding sex offender definitions to reference specific sections of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (Section 2, subsection a, part 2). This ensures that the legal language used to determine eligibility for cemetery honors stays aligned with current statutory definitions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limitation of Reconsideration Authority: By inserting the phrase "made on or after June 18, 1973" into subsection (d)(1) of section 2411, the bill changes the timeframe in which decisions regarding interment or memory honors can be reconsidered (Section 2, subsection a, part 1). This could impact those seeking to have older decisions reviewed.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans-3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits-3
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
- 9/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida