An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit interment or memorialization in certain cemeteries of persons committing Federal or State capital crimes.

Became Public Law No: 105-116.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Jun 18, 1997

Denies Federal veterans benefits to any person who is convicted of a Federal capital offense.

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R–PA

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee
Veterans' Affairs Committee

7 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.

Nov 21, 1997
Became Public Law No: 105-116.
Nov 21, 1997
Became Public Law No: 105-116.
Nov 21, 1997
Signed by President.
Nov 21, 1997
Signed by President.
Nov 13, 1997
Presented to President.
Nov 13, 1997
Presented to President.
Nov 10, 1997
Senate agreed to the House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12488)
Nov 10, 1997
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12488)
Nov 3, 1997
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Oct 31, 1997
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Oct 31, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 31, 1997
On passage Passed without objection.
Oct 31, 1997
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Oct 31, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.
Oct 31, 1997
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9837-9839)
Oct 31, 1997
Mr. Stump asked unanimous consent to discharge the Union Calendar and consider.
Oct 9, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
Oct 9, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 105-319.
Oct 9, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 105-319.
Sep 11, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 11, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 9, 1997
Committee Hearings Held.
Jun 19, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 19, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jun 19, 1997
Received in the House.
Jun 18, 1997
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 98-0. Record Vote No: 106.
Senate roll call 106 · Individual votes
Jun 18, 1997
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 98-0. Record Vote No: 106.
Senate roll call 106 · Individual votes
Jun 18, 1997
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Jun 18, 1997
Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5922-5924)
Jun 18, 1997
Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5922-5924)
Jun 17, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Jun 17, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5810)
Jun 17, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Enrolled Bill · Not supplied Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed Amendment House · Oct 31, 1997 Formatted Text PDF
Reported in House · Oct 9, 1997 Formatted Text PDF
Referred in House · Jun 19, 1997 Formatted Text PDF
Engrossed in Senate · Jun 18, 1997 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in Senate · Jun 17, 1997 Formatted Text PDF
Public Law · Nov 21, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.923 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.923, 105th Congress: An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit interment or memorialization in certain cemeteries of persons committing Federal or State capital crimes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/923

Text version to examine: Public Law · 1997-11-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ116/PLAW-105publ116.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:22Z. 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.923 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.923 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.923, 105th Congress: An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit interment or memorialization in certain cemeteries of persons committing Federal or State capital crimes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/923

Text version to examine: Public Law · 1997-11-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ116/PLAW-105publ116.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:22Z. 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.923 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.923 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.923, 105th Congress: An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit interment or memorialization in certain cemeteries of persons committing Federal or State capital crimes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/923

Text version to examine: Public Law · 1997-11-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ116/PLAW-105publ116.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:22Z. 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.923 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.923 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.923, 105th Congress: An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit interment or memorialization in certain cemeteries of persons committing Federal or State capital crimes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/923

Text version to examine: Public Law · 1997-11-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ116/PLAW-105publ116.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:22Z. 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.923 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.