Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Summary
The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage. The program, named the "Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program," will operate for five fiscal years. It will involve contracting with a nonprofit organization to identify covered members and contact their survivors and descendants.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to the correction of historical records and the proper honoring of American-Jewish servicemembers who died in service. It also extends certain limits on pension payments. The act allocates funds for a specific purpose, potentially impacting the budget of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Potential Benefits
- Corrects historical inaccuracies regarding the religious affiliation of deceased servicemembers.
- Honors the service and sacrifice of American-Jewish servicemembers.
- Provides closure and recognition for the families of those servicemembers.
- Reinforces the government's commitment to properly honoring all servicemembers.
- Supports a nonprofit organization dedicated to this cause.
Potential Disadvantages
- The cost of $500,000 per year for five years could be seen as a burden on taxpayers, although relatively small.
- The focus on a specific religious group might be perceived as preferential treatment, though it addresses past errors.
- The act is limited to American-Jewish servicemembers, potentially overlooking similar issues with other religious or ethnic groups.
- The act's effectiveness depends on the ability of the nonprofit organization to accurately identify covered members and contact their families.
- The five-year duration may not be sufficient to address all cases.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the principle of religious freedom by ensuring that the religious identity of deceased servicemembers is accurately represented. While the First Amendment prohibits government establishment of religion, this act seeks to rectify past errors and ensure equal treatment, which can be seen as consistent with the broader principles of religious freedom and equal protection under the law. The act also falls under Congress's power to provide for the common defense and to honor those who have served in the military.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).