Skip to content
Govbase
Govbase
Congress·Enacted·S. 1071

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Remove Fernando Cota’s remains from a Texas veterans cemetery

Signed Into Law

This legislation has been enacted.

Legislative Progress

Senate
House

312112

President
Law

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

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

13 milestones41 actions
Dec 18, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-60.

The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.

Dec 18, 2025

Signed by President.

The President signed it. This is now the law of the land.

Dec 18, 2025House

Presented to President.

Both chambers passed identical text. The President has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it.

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
2817
Republican
464 · 3
Independent
11
View full roll call
SenatePassedClotureDec 15, 2025

On the Cloture Motion

76
20
Democrat
2716 · 2
Republican
483 · 2
Independent
11
View full roll call
SenatePassedDec 17, 2025

On the Motion

77
20
Democrat
2717 · 1
Republican
492 · 2
Independent
11
View full roll call

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

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. Always verify with official sources.