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H.R. 6456House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Morgan LuttrellRep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
Introduced December 4, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated December 23, 2025 at 5:40 AM UTC

The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to exhume the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas within one year of the law’s enactment. It requires the VA to notify his next of kin before the exhumation and then either return the remains to that family member or, if no family member responds, arrange another appropriate disposition. The measure affects the VA’s handling of a single veteran’s burial site and his surviving relatives.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary must disinter Fernando V. Cota’s remains no later than one year after the law takes effect.
  • The VA must notify Cota’s next of kin before carrying out the disinterment.
  • After exhumation, the remains must be given to the notified next of kin, or if no response is received, the Secretary may decide an appropriate alternative disposition.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

December 4, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 4, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

December 4, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 4, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6456

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 4, 2025

Mr. Luttrell (for himself, Mr. Self, and Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes.

1.

Disinterment of remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas

(a)

Disinterment

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas.

(b)

Notification

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not carry out subsection (a) until after notifying the next of kin of Fernando V. Cota.

(c)

Disposition

After carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—

(1)

relinquish the remains to the next of kin described in subsection (b); or

(2)

if no such next of kin responds to the notification under subsection (b), arrange for disposition of the remains as the Secretary determines appropriate.