Political Quotes

“S. 923 is a bill to deny burial in a national cemetery to veterans convicted of capital offenses. During our committee hearings on this measure, and a similar measure which the gentleman from Illinois and I introduced, we heard testimony from all the major veterans service organizations. Although none of the organizations oppose the concept of the legislation in this area, they all urged the committee to be very careful about taking away earned benefits from veterans who have served their country honorably. Existing law requires the reduction of compensation benefits to veterans serving prison terms, and there are provisions which revoke all benefits for certain crimes, such as treason or espionage. Our committee carefully examined a number of proposals which would deny benefits to a certain class of veterans and reached a bipartisan conclusion on the legislation before the House. The committee chose not to limit benefits other than burial in a national cemetery at Arlington or in State veterans cemeteries. However, the House amendment does expand the types of crimes which could lead to loss of benefits to both State and Federal capital crimes.”