Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 28, 2012

Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012 - Recognizes the tireless work and dedication of the Missing in America Project, in conjunction with numerous veterans service organizations, in identifying unclaimed remains of veterans.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cooperate with such organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Requires the Secretary, upon a positive determination with respect to any such remains, to provide for and cover the cost of the burial and funeral expenses if the Secretary determines that: (1) there is no next of kin or other person claiming the remains, and (2) there are no other sufficient resources to cover such expenses.

Directs the Secretary to establish a publicly accessible database of the names of any veteran or other individual so identified.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] · R–OH

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 27, 2012
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.
Mar 28, 2012
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 28, 2012
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 28, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2051 · Veterans Missing in America Act of 2011

Source last updated: Jan 15, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.2244 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2244, 112th Congress: Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/2244

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-03-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2244/BILLS-112s2244is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-15T00:32:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2244 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2244 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2244, 112th Congress: Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/2244

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-03-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2244/BILLS-112s2244is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-15T00:32:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2244 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2244 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.2244, 112th Congress: Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/2244

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-03-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2244/BILLS-112s2244is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-15T00:32:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2244 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2244 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2244, 112th Congress: Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/2244

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-03-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2244/BILLS-112s2244is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-01-15T00:32:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2244 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.