H.R. 4928 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Aug 8, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands VA headstone eligibility for reservists
Some members of the military reserve components serve but don't meet the standard active-duty time requirements to be considered veterans. This bill would let them qualify for government headstones or markers from the Department of Veterans Affairs when they pass away. Right now, only reservists who could have received retirement pay get this benefit.
How it affects you
Reserve component members and their families who don't quite meet the usual veteran service requirements would gain access to VA-provided headstones or markers for burial. This doesn't directly affect most of the general public, but it extends a honor to reservists whose service didn't accumulate enough active-duty time under current rules.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Aug 8, 2025)
Giving Reservists A Valiant Eternity Act or the GRAVE Act
This bill expands eligibility for government headstones or markers provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility to a member or former member of a reserve component who is not eligible for veteran status solely by reason of not meeting the minimum active-duty service requirements. Under current law, such benefit is only available to reservists who at the time of their death were eligible for retirement pay or who would have been eligible for retirement pay but for the fact they were under 60 years of age.
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. 4928
A BILL
GRAVE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17) · Introduced Aug 8, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 19, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.”