Proposed Bill Would Bar Capital Crime Convicts from National Cemeteries, Mandates One Removal

This proposed legislation, titled "Bertie’s Respect for National Cemeteries Act," aims to change who is eligible for burial or memorialization in cemeteries managed by the National Cemetery Administration and in Arlington National Cemetery. The core idea is straightforward: individuals convicted of a federal or state capital crime would be barred from these hallowed grounds. The bill also includes a highly specific directive concerning one individual already interred.

Setting New Standards for Burial

The main thrust of the bill (Section 2) establishes a new prohibition. If someone has been convicted of a "capital crime" – typically defined as an offense punishable by death, whether under federal or state law – they would not be permitted interment (burial) or memorialization (like having their name on a marker) in these national cemeteries. To enforce this, the bill requires the relevant federal officials to take "reasonable actions" to check eligibility, specifically mentioning searching public records. This adds a verification step to the process. For future burials, this rule means that before someone is approved for interment, their record would be checked for such convictions. It's important to note that the general authority to disinter someone based on this rule applies only to interments or memorializations that happen after this bill potentially becomes law.

A Specific Directive: The Siple Case

Separate from the general rule, Section 3 singles out one specific individual: George E. Siple. The bill explicitly directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter (remove) his remains from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. The process outlined requires notifying Siple's closest living relative, carrying out the removal, and then transferring the remains to the next-of-kin. If no next-of-kin is available or willing to receive the remains, the Secretary is instructed to arrange for their "proper disposal."

Real-World Considerations

So, what does this mean practically? For most veterans and their families seeking burial in a national cemetery, this bill likely changes nothing. The focus is narrowly on individuals convicted of extremely serious crimes. However, it does introduce a formal check against state and federal capital crime convictions. The mandate to disinter George E. Siple is unusual in its specificity, directly addressing a past interment. While the general rule isn't retroactive, this specific clause shows the bill's potential reach. Questions might arise regarding the definition of "reasonable actions" for verification and how consistently "capital crime" definitions (which can vary by state) will be applied. The bill essentially draws a line, aiming to reserve the honor of burial in national cemeteries for those who haven't committed crimes deemed capital offenses.