S.1071 - To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes. (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1071 is a bill introduced in the Senate that directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas. The bill requires the Secretary to notify the next of kin before disinterment. It also specifies that the remains should be relinquished to the next of kin or, if no next of kin responds, disposed of as the Secretary deems appropriate.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, will result in the disinterment of Fernando V. Cota's remains from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The next of kin will be notified and given the opportunity to receive the remains. If the next of kin cannot be located, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will determine the final disposition of the remains.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a mechanism for the next of kin to have the remains of Fernando V. Cota returned to them.
- Allows for respectful disposition of the remains if no next of kin can be found.
- Addresses a specific situation related to the handling of veterans' remains.
- Could provide closure for the family of the deceased.
- Ensures proper handling of remains in accordance with the wishes of the next of kin or established procedures.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May cause emotional distress to the next of kin if they are opposed to the disinterment.
- Could set a precedent for disinterment requests, potentially creating administrative burdens for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Involves government resources for a specific, individual case, potentially diverting resources from other areas.
- The bill does not specify the reason for disinterment, which could raise concerns about the justification for the action.
- There is a risk of mishandling the remains during the disinterment and transfer process.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the general responsibilities of Congress to legislate on matters related to veterans' affairs. While the Constitution does not explicitly address disinterment, the bill does not appear to violate any specific constitutional provision. The bill respects due process by requiring notification of next of kin.
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).