WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 2721 · 119th Congress

Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025

Passed HouseArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedApr 8, 2025
Passed HouseSep 16, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 17, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The House passed it 413–0. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 2721 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Sep 17, 2025).

38 U.S.C. 5503 Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent institutionalized veterans

  • (d) (1) For the purposes of this subsection— changed · Sec. 3 · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Temporary authority to furnish headstones and burial markers to certain veterans
What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7)changedby H.R. 2721 Sec. 3

    (7) This subsection expires on November 30, 2031February 29, 2032.

    The bill says: Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "November 30, 2031" and inserting "February 29, 2032".

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 5503)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement a two-year pilot program to furnish, when requested, an appropriate headstone or burial marker to commemorate covered veterans. Covered veterans are veterans who died on or before November 1, 1990, and were released or discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Currently, these benefits are only available to eligible veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990.

The bill requires the VA to update the National Cemetery Administration website with respect to the requirements for eligibility for a headstone or burial marker.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Apr 8, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Sep 17, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Senate
  2. Sep 16, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Sep 16, 2025On 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) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Sep 16, 2025Passed/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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Sep 16, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4330)House floor actions
  6. Sep 15, 2025At 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.House floor actions
  7. Sep 15, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2721.House floor actions
  8. Sep 15, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4286)House floor actions
  9. Sep 15, 2025Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  10. Sep 15, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 230.House floor actions
  11. Sep 15, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-274.House floor actions
  12. Sep 15, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-274.Library of Congress
  13. Jul 23, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  14. Jul 23, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  15. Jul 3, 2025Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs DischargedHouse committee actions
  16. Jun 24, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Apr 22, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.House committee actions
  18. Apr 8, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.House floor actions
  19. Apr 8, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  20. Apr 8, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

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  1. Sep 16, 2025 · HousePassed 413–0
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 209 yes, 0 noD 204 yes, 0 noEach member · Record