Mackenzie Introduces Bipartisan National Cemetery Transparency Act

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, introduced the bipartisan National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act of 2026, alongside Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), to improve transparency and provide Congress and the public with clearer insight into the operations and future needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

The bill would require the VA to submit an annual public report to Congress detailing the operations, performance, and resource needs of the National Cemetery Administration. By making this information easily accessible to both Congress and the public, the legislation ensures that veterans and their families receive the dignity, honor, and care they have earned.

"Veterans and their families deserve transparency when it comes to the care and long-term planning of national cemeteries," said Congressman Mackenzie. "This legislation strengthens congressional oversight of the National Cemetery Administration and ensures we have the information needed to better serve those who have worn the uniform."

"The National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act affirms our commitment to honoring veterans with dignity and respect," said Congressman McGarvey. "By shedding light on how we care for veterans in their final resting place, we can ensure their service is never forgotten. I'm grateful to Rep. Mackenzie for leading this bipartisan effort for our nation's veterans and their families."

The legislation is supported by veterans service organizations:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

"The burial benefits earned by our nation's heroes represent a final, sacred promise from a grateful nation. DAV is pleased to support the National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act of 2026, which would help strengthen transparency, accountability and long-term planning within the National Cemetery Administration (NCA)," said DAV National Legislative Director Jon Retzer. "We applaud Rep. Mackenzie and Rep. McGarvey for introducing legislation to help ensure that NCA continues to keep that final, sacred promise for generations to come."

Specifically, the legislation would require the VA to publish an annual report detailing:

• The number of interments performed by NCA, broken down by cemetery, interment type, and eligibility category

• Burial options available at each national cemetery

• Customer satisfaction metrics

• A nationwide map of all national and VA-grant-funded veterans' cemeteries

• The number of veterans interred in VA-grant-funded cemeteries

• The number of Presidential Memorial Certificates, headstones, markers, and medallions provided

• Information on completed and planned cemetery construction projects

• Data on grants awarded for veterans' cemeteries, including recipients, amounts, and purposes

• The number of interments of unclaimed veteran remains

• Any additional metrics the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate

Importantly, the bill requires the report to be made publicly available online, ensuring families, researchers, veterans' advocates, and policymakers can easily access the information.