September 16, 2025
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Scott of Florida, and Mr. Schiff) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the applicability of the authority to reconsider decisions of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of the Army to inter the remains or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes Act of 2025
or the RESPECT Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Applicability of authority to reconsider decisions to inter the remains or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery
(a) In general
Section 2411 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (d)(1), by inserting made on or after June 18, 1973,
after reconsider a decision
; and
(2)
in subsections (b)(4)(A), (b)(5)(A), (d)(2)(A)(ii), and (e)(1)(B), by striking to be a tier III sex offender for purposes of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (34 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.)
each place it appears and inserting to meet the definition of a tier III sex offender under section 111 of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (34 U.S.C. 20911)
.
(b) Conforming repeal
Section 2 of the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act (Public Law 113–65) is amended by striking subsection (c).