Senate Republicans Push for Cemetery Access on Federal Holidays

Senate Republicans are looking to ensure that families mourning their loved ones can access cemeteries during federal holidays. Senator Steve Daines from Montana introduced a law on Thursday that mandates over 170 federally managed cemeteries remain open on legally recognized holidays such as Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day.

Cemeteries under the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Park Service traditionally close on major holidays, except for Arlington National Cemetery, which stays open on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but not on other holidays.

Daines expressed that holidays like Memorial Day offer Americans the chance to honor courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for freedom. “Our national cemeteries should be open on these special days so that family and friends can pay tribute to their loved ones,” he stated. “We are proud to introduce this bill so that our fallen service members can receive the respect and honor they deserve.”

The federal government began overseeing national cemeteries during the Civil War in the 1860s, providing a final resting place for fallen Union soldiers. This has expanded to over 170 national cemeteries operated by the Department of Defense, the VA, and the National Park Service, though not every state has these cemeteries. Notably, Montana has two: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery.