Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Emmer sent a letter to Chairman John Carter and Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilConVA) urging language to support veteran families to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 MilConVA Appropriations bill. Emmer’s report language requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a report offering solutions to ensure veteran families receive their deceased veteran’s death certificate in a timely fashion.

“No family in mourning should have to go through an experience like this – and especially not the loved ones of a veteran who served this country,” Congressman Emmer wrote.

The letter comes as the signing of death certificates for Minnesota veterans who have died of natural causes has been delayed for up to eight weeks in some cases. These delays result in significant distress for the families of the deceased as these veterans cannot be buried without a signed death certificate. 

Background: 

Congressman Emmer successfully advocated for similar language to be included in the Fiscal Year 2025 MilConVA appropriations bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 28, 2024, but failed to receive a vote in the United States Senate. More information on that effort can be found here.  

You can read the letter in its entirety here.

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