Lawmakers would deny veterans burial rights to sex offenders

Freshman Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) and 38 other members of the House — mostly Republicans — introduced legislation last week that would deny burial rights to U.S. veterans found guilty of sexual abuse against children.

Hartzler said she introduced her Hallowed Grounds Act after learning that some veterans who are guilty of sexual abuse against children are still buried with full military honors in veterans and national cemeteries.

"While veterans guilty of capital crimes have justly been denied burial in our national cemeteries, veterans guilty of sexual abuse of children are still entitled to these honors," Hartzler said. "Allowing these offenders to rest in fields of honor is an insult to America's military heroes.

"It is my hope that no sexual abuse victim will suffer the pain of knowing an offender has been given the honor of a full military funeral," she added.

Under the bill, H.R. 2355, Tier III sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act could not be buried at any veterans or national cemetery. Tier III offenders are those related to abuse against children.