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Bill > HR1732
US HR1732
US HR1732GUARD VA Benefits Act Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act
summary
Introduced
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL 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.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "GUARD VA Benefits Act," aims to reinstate and strengthen penalties for individuals who charge veterans unauthorized fees when helping them file claims for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill amends Section 5905 of Title 38 of the United States Code to expand existing regulations. The legislation makes it illegal for anyone to solicit, contract for, charge, or attempt to charge veterans a fee for preparing, presenting, or prosecuting a VA benefits claim, except under very limited circumstances defined in other sections of the law. Individuals who violate this provision can now be subject to fines as specified in Title 18 of the United States Code. The bill's primary purpose is to protect veterans from potential financial exploitation by unscrupulous representatives who might seek to profit from assisting with benefits claims. By reinstating and clarifying these penalties, the legislation seeks to ensure that veterans can access benefits assistance without being charged unauthorized fees and to maintain the integrity of the VA benefits claims process.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (118)
Chris Pappas (D)*,
Gabe Amo (D),
Jake Auchincloss (D),
Don Bacon (R),
Wesley Bell (D),
Nikki Budzinski (D),
Janelle Bynum (D),
André Carson (D),
Troy Carter (D),
Greg Casar (D),
Ed Case (D),
Joaquin Castro (D),
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D),
Judy Chu (D),
Gil Cisneros (D),
Emanuel Cleaver (D),
Steve Cohen (D),
Herbert Conaway (D),
Gerry Connolly (D),
Joe Courtney (D),
Angie Craig (D),
Jason Crow (D),
Don Davis (D),
Diana DeGette (D),
Suzan DelBene (D),
Chris Deluzio (D),
Mark DeSaulnier (D),
Maxine Dexter (D),
Debbie Dingell (D),
Teresa Fernandez (D),
Shomari Figures (D),
Brian Fitzpatrick (R),
Chuck Fleischmann (R),
Lizzie Fletcher (D),
Laura Friedman (D),
Russ Fulcher (R),
Robert Garcia (D),
Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D),
Jared Golden (D),
Dan Goldman (D),
Maggie Goodlander (D),
Josh Gottheimer (D),
Adelita Grijalva (D),
Raúl Grijalva (D),
Jahana Hayes (D),
Pablo Jose Hernandez (D),
Steven Horsford (D),
Val Hoyle (D),
Sara Jacobs (D),
Pramila Jayapal (D),
Marcy Kaptur (D),
Tom Kean (R),
Bill Keating (D),
Robin Kelly (D),
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D),
David Kustoff (R),
Greg Landsman (D),
Rick Larsen (D),
John Larson (D),
Mike Lawler (R),
Mike Levin (D),
Stephen Lynch (D),
Seth Magaziner (D),
Sarah McBride (D),
April McClain-Delaney (D),
Jenn McClellan (D),
Morgan McGarvey (D),
Jim McGovern (D),
Rob Menendez (D),
Grace Meng (D),
Dave Min (D),
Kelly Morrison (D),
Seth Moulton (D),
Frank Mrvan (D),
Joe Neguse (D),
Dan Newhouse (R),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Johnny Olszewski (D),
Ilhan Omar (D),
Burgess Owens (R),
Scott Peters (D),
Brittany Pettersen (D),
Chellie Pingree (D),
Mark Pocan (D),
Mike Quigley (D),
Delia Ramirez (D),
Hal Rogers (R),
Deborah Ross (D),
Raul Ruiz (D),
Andrea Salinas (D),
Mary Gay Scanlon (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Brad Schneider (D),
Hillary Scholten (D),
Kim Schrier (D),
Brad Sherman (D),
Mikie Sherrill (D),
Eric Sorensen (D),
Melanie Stansbury (D),
Greg Stanton (D),
Pete Stauber (R),
Haley Stevens (D),
Marilyn Strickland (D),
Dale Strong (R),
Suhas Subramanyam (D),
Eric Swalwell (D),
Emilia Sykes (D),
Claudia Tenney (R),
Shri Thanedar (D),
Bennie Thompson (D),
Dina Titus (D),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
Jill Tokuda (D),
Lauren Underwood (D),
Jeff Van Drew (R),
Gabe Vasquez (D),
Eugene Vindman (D),
James Walkinshaw (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. (on 03/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1732/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr1732/BILLS-119hr1732ih.pdf |
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