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Congress·Enacted·2 months ago

Remove Fernando Cota’s remains from a Texas veterans cemetery

Also known as: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ Senate
✓ House

312–112

✓ President

Key Points

  • Veterans Affairs must dig up and remove Fernando V. Cota’s remains from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery within one year.
  • The government has to notify his closest family before anything happens.
  • If the family responds, they can take the remains; if not, the government will decide what to do with them.
  • This is a one-person case and does not change burial rules or benefits for other veterans.
Veterans

Milestones

13 milestones41 actions
Dec 18, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-60.

Dec 18, 2025

Signed by President.

Dec 18, 2025House

Presented to President.

Dec 18, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Dec 17, 2025Senate

Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 1071 by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 20. Record Vote Number: 648.

Vote Results

5 votes
SenatePassedProceduralDec 11, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

75
22
Democrat
28 – 17
Republican
46 – 4 · 3
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenatePassedClotureDec 15, 2025

On the Cloture Motion

76
20
Democrat
27 – 16 · 2
Republican
48 – 3 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenatePassedDec 17, 2025

On the Motion

77
20
Democrat
27 – 17 · 1
Republican
49 – 2 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
HouseFailedDec 10, 2025

On Motion to Commit

209
216
Democrat
209 – 0 · 4
Republican
0 – 216 · 4
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageDec 10, 2025

On Passage

312
112
Democrat
115 – 94 · 4
Republican
197 – 18 · 5
View full roll call

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Bill NumberS 1071
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionBecame Public Law No: 119-60.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.