Downing Introduces Bill to Honor Fallen Heroes

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Ahead of Veterans Day, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced H.R. 5942, the National Cemetery Access Act. This bill requires all national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays.

Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17) is a co-lead of H.R. 5942. Additional original cosponsors of the National Cemetery Access Actinclude Representatives Tom Barrett (MI-07), Barry Moore (AL-01), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Tony Wied (WI-08), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and David Joyce (OH-14). Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is the sponsor of the Senate companion.

"On the most revered days of the year for the veteran community, nothing should stand in the way of paying respect to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," said Congressman Downing. "Congress must act quickly to pass my H.R. 5942 so friends, family members, and fellow veterans of fallen soldiers never have to wonder whether the last resting place of their loved ones will be accessible when it matters most. I want to thank Congressman Steube and my colleagues for joining me in this effort to honor our nation's heroes and look forward to seeing it make a difference win the lives of Montana's veteran community."

"Federal holidays offer us a respite for celebration, thanksgiving, and remembrance. It should therefore be common practice for our national cemeteries to be open to the public on said dates to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom,"said Rep. Steube. "I am pleased to lead my Republican colleagues on this bill to ensure every American can visit a national cemetery on a federal holiday and pay their respects."

"Federal holidays like Veterans Day give us the opportunity to remember all those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms," said Senator Daines."Our national cemeteries should be open on these special days, so that family and friends can pay their respects to their loved ones. I'm thankful for Congressman Downing for leading this effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that our fallen service members can receive the tributes and honor that they deserve."

"Our national cemeteries are hallowed grounds where we honor those who put on the uniform, made daily sacrifices, and gave their last breath to protect our nation and its freedoms," said Congressman Barrett. "The families, friends, and fellow veterans who love our fallen soldiers should be able to visit their gravesites any day of the year, especially on the ones dedicated to their memory. Grief doesn't take a day off for federal holidays, and neither should our national cemeteries."

"Americans work hard every day, including holidays and weekends," said Congressman Grothman. "Our national cemeteries are sacred places meant to honor the greatest among us. They should be open on federal holidays so families can pay their respects and remember the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I applaud Congressman Downing for introducing the National Cemetery Access Act to ensure these memorials remain accessible to the American people."

"America should never close its gates to those who wish to honor our heroes," said Congressman Moore (AL-01). "It's unthinkable that on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, the very days set aside to remember the fallen, families could be locked out of our national cemeteries. I'm proud to support Rep. Troy Downing's National Cemetery Access Act to make sure every American has the freedom to pay their respects to those who gave everything for our country."

"Across the country, families and veterans haven't been afforded the opportunity to visit national cemeteries on days meant to honor those who have served when it falls on a federal holiday. By requiring all national cemeteries to remain open to visitors on those days, this legislation ensures that Gold Star families, veterans' organizations, and communities can gather to pay their respects on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other national observances," said Congressman Lawler.

"Honored to join my colleagues on this legislation that requires national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays," Congressman Ciscomani said. "All federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and many more are times where veterans and families should be able to visit the gravesites of fallen soldiers, and they deserve that right to honor their loved ones."

"Families who have lost loved ones in service to our nation should always be able to visit their graves, especially on days of remembrance like Veterans Day and Memorial Day," said Congressman Joyce. "This legislation ensures that all Americans can pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and reminds us that their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Read bill text for the National Cemetery Access Acthere.

Read original reporting from the Washington Reporter on the National Cemetery Access Acthere.

Background:

• Despite being dedicated days of the year for honoring those who have served, national cemeteries are not required under federal law to be open for federal holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans' Day.

• By requiring all national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays, H.R. 5942 ensures that members of the public, including family members and fellow veterans of fallen soldiers, are able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones on Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, and other holidays.

• H.R. 5942 also guarantees that veterans organizations have access to these sites and can perform memorial services on these days.

###