H.R. 2078, known as the "Bertie's Respect for National Cemeteries Act," strengthens rules preventing people convicted of federal or state capital crimes from being buried in or memorialized at national cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take all reasonable steps—including searching public records—to verify that individuals are eligible for interment before burial takes place. Specifically, the bill directs the VA Secretary to disinter (remove) the remains of George E. Siple from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery and return them to his next of kin or arrange for appropriate disposition. The legislation applies to burials conducted on or after the date it becomes law and strengthens enforcement of existing eligibility restrictions to ensure they are consistently applied across the national cemetery system.
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