U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) proposed legislation to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging unauthorized fees to United States military veterans who file disability claims with the federal government.
“It is absolutely reprehensible for anyone to seek a profit by defrauding disabled veterans,” said Sen. Blunt. “The criminals who prey upon veterans’ efforts to get the benefits they have earned must be held accountable.”
Sens. Blunt and Young on June 5 cosponsored the Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019, S. 1718, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to protect America’s disabled veterans from unethical and unfair practices in applying for Veterans Administration (VA) disability claims.
“Charging unfair fees to take advantage of disabled veterans is truly appalling,” Sen. Young said. “As a Marine, I’m proud to cosponsor this bill, which would reinstate criminal penalties for these unethical, immoral acts and protect our disabled veterans. We must do all we can to protect those who have already sacrificed so much.”
If enacted, S. 1718 would fine or imprison for not more than one year, or both, any third-party found to knowingly solicit, contract for, charge, or receive any fee or compensation for providing veterans advice on how to file a claim for benefits; or aids, abets, counsels, commands, or procures another party to do so, among other provisions listed in the text of the bill.
S. 1718 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.