06.17.21

Hoeven Helps Introduce Legislation to Give Veterans the Recognition & Honor They Deserve

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to open eligibility for burial in state veterans’ cemeteries. The Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act would make eligible all members of the Reserve Component, so long as their service was terminated under honorable conditions, and certain family members for burial in state veterans’ cemeteries.

Currently, if a cemetery receives federal grant funding, then only certain servicemembers who meet national eligibility standards are allowed to be buried there. This requirement has recently led to uncertainty regarding whether the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery may be eligible for certain grants. Hoeven and Shaheen’s bill would address this issue by prohibiting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from conditioning grants on a cemetery’s compliance with existing eligibility criteria for burial.

“Members of the North Dakota National Guard and Reserve are some the finest in our nation’s military. This bipartisan legislation is about ensuring all veterans, regardless of status, receive the recognition they have earned,” said Hoeven. “It’s important these servicemembers are laid to rest with honor while being close to home for family and loved ones to pay their respects.”

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