U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) introduced a bipartisan bill this month to ensure that the estate of a deceased U.S. military veteran is reimbursed if the veteran was found to be a victim of fraud.
“It is unacceptable that when a defrauded veteran perishes before they are able to recover what was taken, those funds remain unreturned to the veteran’s family or beneficiaries,” Rep. Emmer said. “Congress can and should ensure that in these unfortunate cases the funds are returned to a veteran’s loved ones.”
Under current law, if a veteran dies before his or her fraud case is resolved, then the beneficiaries cannot seek reimbursement for the misused dollars, according to a one-page bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“This legislation will solve that problem while honoring our veterans and their sacrifices,” said Rep. Emmer.
If enacted, the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, H.R. 5966, which Rep. Emmer introduced on Nov. 12 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD), would specifically require the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reissue misused benefits to a beneficiary’s estate in cases where the beneficiary predeceased reissuance, and would provide reissued benefits to either the veteran’s estate, successor or next inheritor, the summary says.
H.R. 5966, which has been endorsed by the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Wounded Warrior Project, has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“Falling victim to fraud is bad enough, but what’s even worse is when that money is never returned,” said Rep. Trone. “These folks have sacrificed so much to serve their country honorably, the least we can do is ensure that their families are reimbursed for the benefits after they’ve passed on.”