H.R. 2721 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Sep 16, 2025. Received Sep 17, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands veteran burial marker benefits
This bill creates a two-year test program at the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones or burial markers for veterans who died before November 1990 and were honorably or generally discharged. Right now, the VA only offers these markers to veterans who died after that date. The bill also requires the VA to update its website to clearly explain who qualifies for these burial markers.
How it affects you
Families of older veterans who passed away before November 1990 could now request a headstone or burial marker to honor their loved one, something that wasn't previously available to them. The clearer eligibility information on the VA website will help any veteran's family understand what benefits they might be entitled to.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 8, 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2721
AN ACT
Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Timothy M. Kennedy (D-NY-26) · Introduced Apr 8, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 17, 2025: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Sep 16, 2025
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 413–0
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 204 | 0 | 9 |
| Republicans | 209 | 0 | 10 |
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.