Blunt, Young cosponsor Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act

Criminal penalties would be reinstated for persons who charge America’s disabled military veterans unauthorized and unethical fees under legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Todd Young (R-IN).

“Charging unfair fees to take advantage of disabled veterans is truly appalling,” Sen. Young said last week. “We must do all we can to protect those who have already sacrificed so much.”

If enacted, the Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2021, S. 2678, which Sen. Blunt and Young cosponsored on Aug. 8 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), would help protect disabled veterans from unfair practices when they make disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Specifically, S. 2678 would protect disabled veterans from illegal fees charged by third-party organizations that prepare and execute veterans’ disability claims and impose criminal penalties for individuals who charge such unauthorized fees, the summary says.

“Defrauding disabled veterans is absolutely reprehensible,” Sen. Blunt said on Aug. 12. “This bill protects veterans from criminals who prey upon their efforts to get the benefits they have earned and holds perpetrators accountable. By protecting disabled veterans from scams and fraudulent fees, this bill helps us do our part to honor the sacrifices these heroes have made.”

Sens. Blunt, Young, and Rubio first introduced the same-named S. 1718 in June 2019, but the measure stalled in the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“As a Marine, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill, which would reinstate criminal penalties for these unethical, immoral acts and protect our disabled veterans,” said Sen. Young.