John Boozman (R-AR)
Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act," aims to address delays in certifying the deaths of veterans. It directs a VA-employed physician or nurse practitioner who is a veteran's primary care provider to certify a death from natural causes within 48 hours of learning about it. If they cannot comply, a coroner or medical examiner in that jurisdiction may certify the death instead. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must also submit annual reports to Congress regarding compliance with these requirements. These reports must include compliance percentages and reasons for non-compliance.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly benefits veterans and their families by reducing delays in death certification and benefit access.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill ensures faster access to death certification, which is critical for the timely distribution of survivor benefits.
- Scored +6
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill improves the efficiency of death certification for veterans, facilitating timely access to survivor benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Timely Burials and Benefits: By requiring certification within 48 hours, the bill aims to prevent delays that prevent the timely burial of deceased veterans and their access to survivor benefits (Section 2).
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Mandatory Certification Timelines: A VA physician or nurse practitioner who is the primary care provider for a veteran dying of natural causes must certify the death no later than 48 hours after learning of it (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Alternative Certification Options: If a VA provider cannot comply with the 48-hour window, a local coroner or medical examiner can certify the death to ensure the process moves forward (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Increased Oversight: The Secretary is required to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to track compliance, including the percentage of successful certifications and reasons for failures (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Legal Compliance Constraints: The bill notes that no employee is required to take actions that would violate the laws, regulations, or requirements of the jurisdiction where they are licensed or practicing (Section 3(c)).
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 directly benefits veterans and their families by reducing delays in death certification and benefit access.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill ensures faster access to death certification, which is critical for the timely distribution of survivor benefits.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill improves the efficiency of death certification for veterans, facilitating timely access to survivor benefits.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring annual reports to Congress on compliance with death certification timelines.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Roger MarshallRepublican · Kansas
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana