WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, Senator Tuberville’s legislation to reissue benefits to defrauded veterans. The bill will now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“We’d like to believe we live in a country where no one would take advantage of our veterans, but sadly it does happen. What’s worse is if the money that was lost to fraud is never returned. This bill attempts to help right that wrong by ensuring a veteran’s estate can be reimbursed for any funds that were lost to fraud should the veteran pass away before the funds have been reimbursed. It’s my priority to find ways to make the government work better for the American people, and this bill is a small step toward doing just that for our veterans,” said Senator Tuberville.
BACKGROUND:
As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Tuberville has introduced multiple pieces of targeted legislation to help veterans and their families, including the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act that was signed into law in 2022. Senator Tuberville originally introduced the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act with Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) in 2022, and then reintroduced it again this Congress in February 2023.
Under current law, if a veteran passes away before the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) has determined that the veteran was defrauded of his or her benefits, the funds are not distributed to the veteran’s family or estate. This legislation would change that statute to allow a deceased beneficiary’s estate to receive reissued funds.
Specifically, the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act would:
- Require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reissue misused benefits to a beneficiary’s estate in cases where the beneficiary predeceased reissuance.
- Provide reissued benefits to either the veteran’s estate, successor, or next inheritor.
The Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act is endorsed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project, and the American Legion.
MORE:
Tuberville Continues Work to Protect Vets from Predatory Lawyers
Tuberville Pushes Legislation to Improve Quality, Access to Care for Veterans
Tuberville Veterans Bill Passes Senate, Will Streamline Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Tuberville Op-Ed in The Birmingham News: Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Tuberville Holds VA Accountable for Facilitating Drug Abuse
Tuberville’s Second Bill Becomes Law
Tuberville Denounces Settlement to Rehire Fired VA Employees
Tuberville Joins Legislation to Expand Access to CDL Programs for Veterans
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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