EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Troy Downing rolls out legislation to require national cemeteries to remain open on federal holidays
National cemeteries aren't required to remain open on Veterans' Day. Rep. Troy Downing has legislation to finally change that.
In advance of Veterans’ Day, Rep. Troy Downing is unveiling legislation, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter that will allow veterans to access national cemeteries on federal holidays like Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day.
Downing’s legislation, called the National Cemetery Access Act, would require national cemeteries to remain open during federal holidays. In Downing’s own district, for example, Custer National Cemetery at the site of the Battle of Little Bighorn was closed on Memorial Day.
Downing himself has spoken with the Reporter about his unorthodox path to military service. Hours after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, he walked into a recruitment office and joined the military, ultimately serving multiple tours in Afghanistan.
While national cemeteries across America are often open on holidays, it’s not a requirement, and Downing wants that changed for good. His bill will also guarantee that veterans organizations are able to perform memorial services on federal holidays.
Joining Downing in sponsoring the legislation are Reps. Greg Steube (R., Fla.), Barry Moore (R., Ala.), Glenn Grothman (R., Wis.), Tom Barrett (R., Mich.), Jack Bergman (R., Mich.), Wesley Hunt (R., Texas), Tony Wied (R., Wis.), Juan Ciscomani (R., Ariz.), Mike Lawler (R., Ariz.), and David Joyce (R., Ohio).
