Looking to increase protections for veterans and their earned benefits, United States Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), along with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act (H.R.1179) last week.
“It takes real heartlessness to prey upon veterans and their families,” Scanlon said. “But every day across our Commonwealth, scammers are targeting veterans with schemes to defraud them of their hard-earned VA benefits. We owe it to those who have bravely served our country to do everything in our power to hold accountable anyone attempting to rip them off. I’m proud to join Rep. Fitzpatrick in introducing the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act to ensure prosecutors have the tools they need to stop these scams and deliver justice for our veterans.”
The legislation promised new penalties for those found guilty of defrauding veterans of their benefits. It would amend title 18 of the U.S. Code to offer this additional tool and for other purposes – although full details have yet to be fully released.
“Individuals who defraud our veterans must be held accountable and punished,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is critical that the men and women who served our country receive their hard-earned benefits from the VA, and I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to crack down on fraudsters who take advantage of our veterans.”
The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Rubio was responsible for the companion legislation in the Senate.