February 27, 2025
Mr. Pappas (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Golden of Maine, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Bacon, Mr. McGarvey, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mrs. Sykes, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Casar, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Peters, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Norton, Ms. McClellan, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Magaziner, Ms. Sherrill, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Kustoff, Ms. Omar, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Deluzio, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Amo, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Ross, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. Auchincloss, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Levin, Mr. Stanton, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Strong, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Titus, Ms. Tenney, and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act
or the GUARD VA Benefits Act
.
Sec. 2. Reinstatement of penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Section 5905 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in the section heading, by striking Penalty
and inserting Penalties
(and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 59 of such title accordingly);
(2)
by inserting (a) Withholding of benefits.—
before Whoever
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(b) Charging of unauthorized fees
Except as provided in sections 5904 or 1984 of this title, whoever solicits, contracts for, charges, or receives, or attempts to solicit, contract for, charge, or receive, any fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary shall be fined as provided in title 18.