September 17, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressmen David Trone (D-MD) and Tom Emmer’s (R-MN) bipartisan Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act.

In 2023, fraud cost veterans, military personnel, and their families $477 million, a $63 million increase from 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Under current law, when a veteran with an ongoing fraud case passes away, family members do not have a right to reimbursement. The Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reissue misused benefits to the veteran’s estate, ensuring lost benefits are restored where they are due.

A 2019 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs discovered more than 100 veterans who fell victim to fraud and passed away before mismanaged funds could be returned to them. Veterans’ funds are also disproportionately stolen from them. In cases of fraud, the median loss for veterans is 44% higher than for civilians, according to the FTC.

“Our veterans selflessly put their lives on the line for our safety, our freedom, and our country,” said Congressman Trone, a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee during the 117^th Congress. “When a veteran targeted by fraud passes away, the benefits they rightfully earned should not disappear. This is common-sense legislation, and I’m proud so many of my colleagues came together and voted with us to pass it.”

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders.

Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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