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FEDERALhearing transcript

Hearing on the Future Capacity of Arlington National Cemetery

Original title: [H.A.S.C. No. 115-82]- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY--PRESERVING THE PROMISE

January 1, 2019

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The Frame

What this does

The committee is evaluating changes to who is eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, which will directly impact the end-of-life planning for current and future military service members and their families.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Military service members and veterans

Changes to eligibility criteria will determine their future access to burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Department of the Army

The Department is responsible for managing the cemetery's capacity and implementing any new eligibility policies.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House on Military Personnel held a hearing to address the fact that Arlington National Cemetery is projected to run out of space for new burials within 23 years. Officials and veteran organizations discussed potential changes to burial eligibility criteria and strategies to extend the cemetery's operational life.

Key Facts

  • Arlington National Cemetery is projected to reach full capacity for new burials in approximately 23 years.
  • Over 400,000 people have been interred or inurned at the cemetery over its 153-year history.
  • The Secretary of the Army submitted a report to Congress regarding cemetery capacity prior to the hearing.
  • The subcommittee is reviewing potential changes to eligibility criteria to preserve the cemetery's status as an active burial ground.
  • The hearing included testimony from veteran service organizations and cemetery leadership regarding long-term preservation strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Arlington National Cemetery running out of space?
The cemetery has a finite amount of land and has been in operation for 153 years, with over 400,000 interments, leading to a projected exhaustion of space for new burials within 23 years.
What is the goal of this hearing?
To receive testimony from stakeholders and Department of the Army officials on how to preserve the cemetery as an active burial site and to discuss potential changes to eligibility criteria.

Why It Matters

The committee is evaluating changes to who is eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, which will directly impact the end-of-life planning for current and future military service members and their families.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Impending Eligibility Reform

The hearing signals a formal shift toward restricting or redefining burial eligibility at Arlington to extend the cemetery's operational life.

Connected Entities

organizationAir Force AssociationRepresented by Keith W. ZuegelMap →
organizationThe American LegionRepresented by Gerardo AvilaMap →
organizationVeterans of Foreign WarsRepresented by John TowlesMap →
locationArlington National CemeteryThe subject of the hearing regarding burial capacityMap →
personMike CoffmanChairman of the Subcommittee on Military PersonnelMap →
personKaren Durham-AguileraExecutive Director, Army National Military CemeteriesMap →
organizationMilitary Officers Association of AmericaRepresented by Forrest AllenMap →
personKatharine KelleySuperintendent, Arlington National CemeteryMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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