National Cemeteries Must Stay Open on All Federal Holidays Under New Access Act

When you’re trying to visit a loved one’s grave at a national cemetery, the last thing you need is a locked gate. Especially if that visit is planned around a federal holiday—often the only day many working people have off to make the trip. The National Cemetery Access Act is a short, punchy piece of legislation aimed squarely at fixing that.

The bill mandates that every national cemetery managed by the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service must remain open to visitors on all legal public holidays. This isn't about administrative offices; it’s about ensuring access to the grounds for remembrance on days like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and even Christmas and Thanksgiving, which are often the most meaningful days for families to visit.

The Family Time Factor

Think about the average person aged 25 to 45. They’re juggling work, kids, and maybe a side hustle. Taking a random Tuesday off to drive to a distant cemetery is often impossible. Holidays are the lifeline. This bill recognizes that reality. By requiring agencies to keep the gates open on every federal holiday (as defined by Title 5, Section 6103(a) of the U.S. Code), the Act ensures that people who work 9-to-5, Monday through Friday, finally have guaranteed, consistent access to pay their respects.

For the surviving spouse or adult child who lives two states away, this consistency is huge. It removes the guesswork and the frustration of driving hours only to find the cemetery closed because of an inconsistent holiday schedule across different federal agencies. The bill creates one clear, uniform standard for public access across all three agencies that manage these sacred grounds.

Who Pays the Overtime?

While the benefit to the public is clear, legislation that mandates operations on holidays always raises the question of logistics and cost. The bill is laser-focused on access, but it doesn't include a specific funding mechanism to cover the increased operational costs. This means the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service will need to staff these cemeteries on days when they might have previously been closed or operating with minimal personnel.

This isn't a huge operational change—cemeteries are generally open—but guaranteeing access on every federal holiday requires budgeting for staff wages, utilities, and security on premium pay days. While the cost is minimal compared to the benefit of guaranteed access for veterans' families, the agencies will need to absorb these costs within their existing budgets or seek increased appropriations to maintain the mandate.

Overall, this is a straightforward bill that prioritizes public access and remembrance. It’s a small but significant change that acknowledges the reality of modern life and ensures that the families of those who served can honor them when it matters most, without having to check three different agency websites to see if the gates are locked.