Timothy Kennedy (D-NY)
Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 413–0
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program. This program aims to provide headstones, burial markers, or medallions to certain veterans. The authority applies to veterans who died on or after December 7, 1941, and are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. This authority lasts for seven years following the enactment of the Act. Additionally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments.
Yes
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides veterans with the opportunity to have headstones or medallions furnished for their graves.
- Scored +5
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill authorizes a pilot program to furnish headstones, burial markers, or medallions to eligible veterans.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the National Cemetery Administration website to indicate how the act affects eligibility for burial markers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 413 yes · 0 no
09/16/2025 · Roll call 269 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Provision of Memorials: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to furnish a headstone, burial marker, or medallion to veterans who died on or after December 7, 1941, and are eligible for burial in a national cemetery, provided the Secretary has not already done so. This provides a way to honor those whose graves were not previously marked. (Section 2(a))
-
Increased Transparency: The Secretary is required to ensure the National Cemetery Administration website indicates how this Act affects eligibility for headstones, markers, or medallions. (Section 2(b))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides veterans with the opportunity to have headstones or medallions furnished for their graves.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill authorizes a pilot program to furnish headstones, burial markers, or medallions to eligible veterans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the National Cemetery Administration website to indicate how the act affects eligibility for burial markers.
- 9/17/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 9/16/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 269). (text: 09/16/2026 CR H4286)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 269). (text: 09/16/2026 CR H4286)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4330)
- 9/15/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-274.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 230.
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2721.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4286)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/23/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 7/3/2025
- Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
- 6/24/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 4/22/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House