BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in introducing the Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2023. The bipartisan legislation would grant the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) permanent authority to bury spouses and dependent children of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty at the time of their death.

Additionally, the bill would give the VA permanent authority to furnish a memorial headstone or marker, in cases where remains are unavailable, for spouses and dependent children of active duty servicemembers.

“When Americans volunteer their service to our nation, their spouses and dependents make a sacrifice as well,” said Senator Cramer. “It is only right we codify existing authority to allow spouses and children who pass before their servicemember to be properly buried in a VA cemetery. These families deserve to be together in their final resting place.”

“Servicemembers and their families sacrifice immensely in service to our country,” said Senator Peters. “The least that we can do is ensure they can remain together in their final resting place. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan, commonsense bill to do just that.”

“America’s brave service members sacrifice so much on our behalf, often serving thousands of miles away from home,” said Senator Sullivan. “Our men and women in uniform should not have to worry, if they were to face the unconscionable tragedy of losing a spouse or child while on active duty, whether that loved one could be laid to rest alongside them at a VA national cemetery. I’m glad to put forward legislation with Senator Peters and my colleagues to renew this accommodation and give our service members the peace of mind they deserve.”

“When Americans sign up to serve our country, their loved ones serve and sacrifice alongside them as well,” said Senator Brown. “That’s why we must do all we can to make sure that military families can be laid together in their final resting place at a VA National Cemetery.”

Under current law, if the spouse or child of an active duty servicemember pass away prior to the servicemember, the VA has the authority to bury servicemembers’ spouse or child at a VA national cemetery, where the servicemember will one day join their family member. However, without action from Congress, the VA’s authority to provide this benefit for our nation’s military families will expire on October 1, 2024.

Supporting stakeholders of the legislation include the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

“During unfortunate times when a spouse or child passes away before the service member, it is paramount for provisions to exist that allow for a choice of final rest together at a VA National Cemetery,” said Quandrea Patterson, Associate Director of VFW Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. “The VFW thanks Senators Peters, Sullivan, Brown, and Cramer for this legislation that permanently seeks to keep military families together.”

“We thank Senators Peters, Sullivan, Cramer, and Brown for leading this bipartisan bill and for their commitment to supporting our nation’s military families and servicemembers at every turn,” said Jack McManus, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). “Our brave men and women who served in uniform deserve the option to be buried alongside their families, including in the tragic case of a servicemembers’ family member predeceasing them. The Keeping Military Families Together Act protects that benefit.”

Click here for bill text.