H.R.1344 - Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1344, the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act, aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code. The amendment expands eligibility for headstones, markers, and burial receptacles provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This expansion applies to certain individuals who died before November 11, 1998.
The bill seeks to remove the restriction that limits these benefits to veterans who died on or after November 11, 1998. This change broadens the scope of veterans who can receive these honors.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 13, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to extend eligibility for VA-provided headstones, markers, and burial receptacles to a larger group of deceased veterans.
Specifically, it will include those who died before November 11, 1998, who were previously excluded. This change will likely increase the number of applications and disbursements for these benefits.
It may also require additional administrative resources to process the increased volume of requests.
Potential Benefits
- Honors veterans who died before November 11, 1998, recognizing their service.
- Provides financial relief to families of deceased veterans by covering burial costs.
- Ensures equitable access to veterans' benefits regardless of the date of death.
- Simplifies the application process by removing a restrictive eligibility criterion.
- Potentially increases awareness of available veterans' benefits.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May increase the financial burden on the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Could lead to delays in processing applications due to increased volume.
- Might require additional staffing and resources to manage the expanded program.
- Could face challenges in verifying eligibility for veterans who died long ago.
- May create administrative complexities in handling older records.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution, particularly the implied responsibility of the government to care for those who have served in the armed forces. While the Constitution does not explicitly mandate veterans' benefits, Article I, Section 8 provides Congress the power to provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States, which can be interpreted to include supporting veterans.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms. It expands access to existing benefits without discriminating against any particular group.
Therefore, the bill seems constitutionally sound.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).