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Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012

Public Law 112-260 · S. 3202 · 112th Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by Barack Obama (D) on Jan 10, 2013 · Armed Forces and National Security

Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Cosponsors (5): Sen. Richard Burr,

Passage votesYeaNay

  • HouseRecorded vote: 393 yea, 0 nay393–0
  • SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 - Title I: Cemetery Matters - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a casket or urn of sufficient quality for a dignified burial for the burial in a national cemetery of a deceased veteran when the Secretary: (1) is unable to identify such veteran's next of kin, and (2) determines that sufficient resources for furnishing such casket or urn are not otherwise available. Prohibits the furnishing of such casket or urn in the case of a veteran convicted of a federal or state capital crime.

(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary, with respect to the interment, funeral, memorial service, or ceremony (service) of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery, to ensure that: (1) the expressed wishes of the next of kin or other agent of such veteran are given deference when determining whether such service affects the safety and security of the cemetery and its visitors; (2) all appropriate public cemetery areas may be used by the family for contemplation, prayer, mourning, or reflection; and (3) during such service, the family may display any chosen religious or other symbols. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans committees on the implementation of this section.

(Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary, in the case of a deceased veteran with no apparent next of kin and without sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial expenses, to ensure that the entity responsible for the body prior to transportation to a national cemetery for burial notifies the VA as to whether such veteran was cremated and steps taken to ensure that such veteran has no next of kin.

(Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to cooperate with veterans service organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Requires the Secretary, upon a positive determination with respect to any such remains, to provide for and cover the transportation costs and funeral expenses of such veteran or individual.

(Sec. 105) Excludes from interment or memorialization in a national cemetery any person convicted of a tier III sex offender offense and sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment.

(Sec. 106) Treats Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Republic of the Philippines as a permanent military cemetery in a foreign country for purposes of the purview of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Directs the Commission to restore, operate, and maintain such Cemetery in cooperation with the government of the Republic of the Philippines.

(Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on VA compliance with industry standards for caskets and urns.

Title II: Health Care - (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for members deployed in a contingency operation in Iraq or Afghanistan who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits used for disposing solid waste, (2) include in such registry information necessary to ascertain and monitor the health effects of such exposure, (3) develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the registry, and (4) periodically notify such individuals of significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with such exposure. Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract with an independent scientific organization to develop reports assessing the effectiveness of actions taken to collect and maintain information on the health effects of such exposure, and (2) submit such organization's initial and follow-up report to Congress.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to transport individuals to and from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care.

(Sec. 203) Extends through FY2016 the current $90 limit on a VA pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.

(Sec. 204) Extends through 2016 the report requirement for the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder.

Title III: Other Matters - (Sec. 301) Directs the Secretary of Labor, during the two-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to provide the Transition Assistance Program to veterans and their spouses at locations other than military installations in at least three and up to five states selected by the Secretary based on the highest rates of veteran unemployment. Requires: (1) a report from such Secretary to Congress for any year in which such training was provided, and (2) a one-time report from the Comptroller General on such training.

(Sec. 302) Requires that the principal office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) be in the metropolitan area of Washington, DC, but allows the CAVC to sit any place within the United States. Requires judges in active service on the CAVC to: (1) have their official duty station at the principal office; and (2) reside within 50 miles of such metropolitan area. Provides an exception for recall-eligible retired CAVC judges.

(Sec. 303) Designates the VA facility in Carrollton, Georgia, as the "Trinka Davis Veterans Village."

(Sec. 304) Designates the VA facility in Sunrise, Florida, as the "William 'Bill' Kling Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic."

(Sec. 305) Designates the VA medical center in Spokane, Washington, as the "Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."

(Sec. 306) Designates the VA community based outpatient clinic in Mansfield, Ohio, as the "David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic."

Who voted for it

Every House member of the 112th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 393 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.

393 yea0 nay38 present or did not vote

ProEstablishmentAnti
Economic left–right
More liberalMore conservative

Democrats who voted yea(173)

Republicans who voted yea(220)

  • Rep. Steven LaTouretteR-OH-14
  • Rep. Patrick MeehanR-PA-7
  • Rep. Bob DoldR-IL-10
  • Rep. Todd PlattsR-PA-19
  • Rep. Ileana Ros-LehtinenR-FL-18
  • Rep. David ReichertR-WA-8
  • Rep. Mario Diaz-BalartR-FL-21
  • Rep. Frank LoBiondoR-NJ-2
  • Rep. Pete KingR-NY-3
  • Rep. Chris SmithR-NJ-4
  • Rep. Jon RunyanR-NJ-3
  • Rep. Charles DentR-PA-15
  • Rep. Christopher GibsonR-NY-20
  • Rep. Michael GrimmR-NY-13
  • Rep. Judy BiggertR-IL-13
  • Rep. Richard HannaR-NY-24
  • Rep. Rodney FrelinghuysenR-NJ-11
  • Rep. Lou BarlettaR-PA-11
  • Rep. Tom LathamR-IA-4
  • Rep. Shelley CapitoR-WV-2
  • Rep. Michael FitzpatrickR-PA-8
  • Rep. David McKinleyR-WV-1
  • Rep. David RiveraR-FL-25
  • Rep. Frank WolfR-VA-10
  • Rep. Michael TurnerR-OH-3
  • Rep. Mike SimpsonR-ID-2
  • Rep. Steve StiversR-OH-15
  • Rep. Robert TurnerR-NY-9
  • Rep. Nan HayworthR-NY-19
  • Rep. Hal RogersR-KY-5
  • Rep. Tom ColeR-OK-4
  • Rep. Rodney AlexanderR-LA-5
  • Rep. Mike RogersR-AL-3
  • Rep. Jeff FortenberryR-NE-1
  • Rep. Adam KinzingerR-IL-11
  • Rep. Frank LucasR-OK-3
  • Rep. Glenn ThompsonR-PA-5
  • Rep. Jo Ann EmersonR-MO-8
  • Rep. Mike KellyR-PA-3
  • Rep. Ander CrenshawR-FL-4
  • Rep. John ShimkusR-IL-19
  • Rep. Joseph HeckR-NV-3
  • Rep. Steve WomackR-AR-3
  • Rep. Denny RehbergR-MT
  • Rep. Jo BonnerR-AL-1
  • Rep. Ed WhitfieldR-KY-1
  • Rep. Ken CalvertR-CA-44
  • Rep. Bill ShusterR-PA-9
  • Rep. W. Bill YoungR-FL-10
  • Rep. Pat TiberiR-OH-12
  • Rep. Brian BilbrayR-CA-50
  • Rep. Rick CrawfordR-AR-1
  • Rep. Steve AustriaR-OH-7
  • Rep. Robert AderholtR-AL-4
  • Rep. Buck McKeonR-CA-25
  • Rep. Rick BergR-ND
  • Rep. Leonard LanceR-NJ-7
  • Rep. Don YoungR-AK
  • Rep. Spencer BachusR-AL-6
  • Rep. Kay GrangerR-TX-12
  • Rep. David DreierR-CA-26
  • Rep. Tom ReedR-NY-29
  • Rep. Gregg HarperR-MS-3
  • Rep. Daniel LungrenR-CA-3
  • Rep. Robert WittmanR-VA-1
  • Rep. Tim MurphyR-PA-18
  • Rep. Martha RobyR-AL-2
  • Rep. Doc HastingsR-WA-4
  • Rep. Kristi NoemR-SD
  • Rep. Chip CravaackR-MN-8
  • Rep. Greg WaldenR-OR-2
  • Rep. Bobby SchillingR-IL-17
  • Rep. Tom MarinoR-PA-10
  • Rep. Randy ForbesR-VA-4
  • Rep. John CarterR-TX-31
  • Rep. Dave CampR-MI-4
  • Rep. Brett GuthrieR-KY-2
  • Rep. Jaime Herrera BeutlerR-WA-3
  • Rep. James RenacciR-OH-16
  • Rep. Larry BucshonR-IN-8
  • Rep. Gus BilirakisR-FL-9
  • Rep. Peter RoskamR-IL-6
  • Rep. Lee TerryR-NE-2
  • Rep. Fred UptonR-MI-6
  • Rep. Jeff DenhamR-CA-19
  • Rep. Vern BuchananR-FL-13
  • Rep. Scott TiptonR-CO-3
  • Rep. Erik PaulsenR-MN-3
  • Rep. Roscoe BartlettR-MD-6
  • Rep. Tim GriffinR-AR-2
  • Rep. Mike RogersR-MI-8
  • Rep. Bob GibbsR-OH-18
  • Rep. Frank GuintaR-NH-1
  • Rep. Candice MillerR-MI-10
  • Rep. Michael McCaulR-TX-10
  • Rep. Scott RigellR-VA-2
  • Rep. Mark AmodeiR-NV-2
  • Rep. Allen WestR-FL-22
  • Rep. Bill CassidyR-LA-6
  • Rep. Renee EllmersR-NC-2
  • Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersR-WA-5
  • Rep. Steven PalazzoR-MS-4
  • Rep. Blaine LuetkemeyerR-MO-9
  • Rep. Bill JohnsonR-OH-6
  • Rep. Devin NunesR-CA-21
  • Rep. Daniel WebsterR-FL-8
  • Rep. Jean SchmidtR-OH-2
  • Rep. Charles BoustanyR-LA-7
  • Rep. John SullivanR-OK-1
  • Rep. Kevin McCarthyR-CA-22
  • Rep. Joe BartonR-TX-6
  • Rep. Phil RoeR-TN-1
  • Rep. Ralph HallR-TX-4
  • Rep. Eric CantorR-VA-7
  • Rep. Randy HultgrenR-IL-14
  • Rep. Alan NunneleeR-MS-1
  • Rep. Mike CoffmanR-CO-6
  • Rep. Chuck FleischmannR-TN-3
  • Rep. Sean DuffyR-WI-7
  • Rep. Adrian SmithR-NE-3
  • Rep. Howard CobleR-NC-6
  • Rep. Joseph PittsR-PA-16
  • Rep. Gary MillerR-CA-42
  • Rep. Steve PearceR-NM-2
  • Rep. John MicaR-FL-7
  • Rep. Pete OlsonR-TX-22
  • Rep. Paul GosarR-AZ-1
  • Rep. Scott DesJarlaisR-TN-4
  • Rep. Cory GardnerR-CO-4
  • Rep. Robert LattaR-OH-5
  • Rep. Vicky HartzlerR-MO-4
  • Rep. John KlineR-MN-2
  • Rep. Steve KingR-IA-5
  • Rep. Morgan GriffithR-VA-9
  • Rep. Richard NugentR-FL-5
  • Rep. Sue MyrickR-NC-9
  • Rep. Stephen FincherR-TN-8
  • Rep. Thomas RooneyR-FL-16
  • Rep. Blake FarentholdR-TX-27
  • Rep. John CulbersonR-TX-7
  • Rep. Darrell IssaR-CA-49
  • Rep. Andy HarrisR-MD-1
  • Rep. Donald ManzulloR-IL-16
  • Rep. James LankfordR-OK-5
  • Rep. Todd YoungR-IN-9
  • Rep. Paul RyanR-WI-1
  • Rep. Tom PetriR-WI-6
  • Rep. Bill PoseyR-FL-15
  • Rep. Jack KingstonR-GA-1
  • Rep. Lynn JenkinsR-KS-2
  • Rep. Bob GoodlatteR-VA-6
  • Rep. Todd AkinR-MO-2
  • Rep. Quico CansecoR-TX-23
  • Rep. Rob BishopR-UT-1
  • Rep. Mo BrooksR-AL-5
  • Rep. Robert HurtR-VA-5
  • Rep. Tim WalbergR-MI-7
  • Rep. Ann Marie BuerkleR-NY-25
  • Rep. Diane BlackR-TN-6
  • Rep. Sandy AdamsR-FL-24
  • Rep. Wally HergerR-CA-2
  • Rep. Phil GingreyR-GA-11
  • Rep. Duncan HunterR-CA-52
  • Rep. Steve SoutherlandR-FL-2
  • Rep. Kevin YoderR-KS-3
  • Rep. Dan BenishekR-MI-1
  • Rep. Steve ScaliseR-LA-1
  • Rep. Kenny MarchantR-TX-24
  • Rep. Reid RibbleR-WI-8
  • Rep. Dennis RossR-FL-12
  • Rep. Bill FloresR-TX-17
  • Rep. Austin ScottR-GA-8
  • Rep. Patrick McHenryR-NC-10
  • Rep. Kevin BradyR-TX-8
  • Rep. Louie GohmertR-TX-1
  • Rep. Pete SessionsR-TX-32
  • Rep. Billy LongR-MO-7
  • Rep. John FlemingR-LA-4
  • Rep. Steve ChabotR-OH-1
  • Rep. Cynthia LummisR-WY
  • Rep. Ted PoeR-TX-2
  • Rep. Michele BachmannR-MN-6
  • Rep. Todd RokitaR-IN-4
  • Rep. Michael BurgessR-TX-26
  • Rep. Marsha BlackburnR-TN-7
  • Rep. David SchweikertR-AZ-5
  • Rep. Bill HuizengaR-MI-2
  • Rep. Tom PriceR-GA-6
  • Rep. Ed RoyceR-CA-40
  • Rep. Lynn WestmorelandR-GA-3
  • Rep. Jimmy DuncanR-TN-2
  • Rep. Jeff MillerR-FL-1
  • Rep. Michael ConawayR-TX-11
  • Rep. Jason ChaffetzR-UT-3
  • Rep. Jeb HensarlingR-TX-5
  • Rep. Tim ScottR-SC-1
  • Rep. Virginia FoxxR-NC-5
  • Rep. Randy NeugebauerR-TX-19
  • Rep. Rob WoodallR-GA-7
  • Rep. James SensenbrennerR-WI-5
  • Rep. Mike PompeoR-KS-4
  • Rep. Trent FranksR-AZ-2
  • Rep. Trey GowdyR-SC-4
  • Rep. Doug LambornR-CO-5
  • Rep. Ben QuayleR-AZ-3
  • Rep. Raúl LabradorR-ID-1
  • Rep. Tim HuelskampR-KS-1
  • Rep. Jim JordanR-OH-4
  • Rep. Jeff DuncanR-SC-3
  • Rep. Joe WalshR-IL-8
  • Rep. Scott GarrettR-NJ-5
  • Rep. Marlin StutzmanR-IN-3
  • Rep. Tom McClintockR-CA-4
  • Rep. Mick MulvaneyR-SC-5
  • Rep. Justin AmashR-MI-3
  • Rep. Tom GravesR-GA-9
  • Rep. Thomas MassieR-KY-4
  • Rep. Paul BrounR-GA-10
  • Rep. Jeff FlakeR-AZ-6
  • Rep. John CampbellR-CA-48
Data notes

The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 1594 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.

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Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Related bills

1 bill the Library of Congress relates to this one.

  • H.R. 6073Related bill

    Dignified Burial of Veterans Act of 2012

Data notes

Related bills are identified by the Congressional Research Service, the House and the Senate: companion and identical bills, bills with similar text, bills that were folded into this law, and rules that brought it to the floor. A bill that is itself a public law in this site’s data links here; the others link to Congress.gov.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 22 actions.

  1. Jan 10, 2013Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 112-260.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Jan 2, 2013CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  4. Jan 1, 2013FloorFloor · Presented to President.
  5. Dec 30, 2012FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 651).House roll call 651
  7. FloorFloor · Considered as unfinished business.
  8. FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Miller (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  9. FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3202.
  10. FloorFloor · Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  11. FloorFloor · Considered under suspension of the rules.
  12. Dec 20, 2012FloorFloor · Received in the House.
  13. FloorFloor · Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  14. CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee conc…
  15. Dec 19, 2012FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  16. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  17. CommitteeCommittee · Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  18. Jun 28, 2012CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
  19. Jun 27, 2012CommitteeCommittee · Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.
  20. May 17, 2012CommitteeCommittee · Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  21. CommitteeCommittee · Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3287)
  22. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in Senate
Data notes

Every action the Library of Congress lists for the bill, from introduction to signing, plus the dated committee hearings. The source lists many steps twice (the chamber’s own entry and the Library of Congress copy, or a presidential and a became-law entry with the same words); those are shown once. Amendments are listed in their own section.

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Amendments

1 amendment offered to the bill, with the last recorded step of each.

  • S.Amdt. 3407SenateSen. Patty MurrayD-WA· offered Dec 19, 2012Agreed to

    In the nature of a substitute.

    Dec 19, 2012: Amendment SA 3407 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

    Agreed to
Data notes

Amendments offered to this bill in either chamber, as the Library of Congress records them: each with a status read from its last recorded step: agreed to, rejected, withdrawn, ruled out of order, fell with another amendment, or offered with no vote recorded (most Senate amendments are only ever offered). The wording of each amendment is the source’s. Amendments to amendments and amendments to other bills are not listed.

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Official record

The bill’s full text is on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.