This bill addresses a very specific situation: it would require the VA to remove the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas within one year. Before doing so, the VA must notify Cota's next of kin and then either release the remains to the family or, if no family member responds, arrange for an appropriate disposition. The bill doesn't explain the circumstances behind the request, but it appears to be a case where someone's burial in a national veterans cemetery is being reconsidered.
Congressional Summary
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, after notifying his next of kin. The VA must relinquish the remains to the next of kin or, if no next of kin responds to the notification, arrange for the disposition of the remains. Cota was interred prior to the enactment of regulations that would have barred his interment due to a 1975 rape conviction.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-12-04
- Date Added
- 2026-04-09