President Biden Signs Trone’s Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act Into Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2024
President Biden Signs Trone’s Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Monday, President Biden signed Congressman David Trone’s (D-MD) Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act into law. The bipartisan legislation was co-led by Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) in the U.S. House and by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) in the U.S. Senate. The new law will reimburse the families of veterans who had benefits stolen from them and passed away before their fraud cases were resolved.
Trone introduced the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act to amend the Department of Veteran Affairs’ policy on reissuing stolen benefits, protecting veterans and honoring their service to our country.
In response to the law’s passage, Trone issued the following statement:
“For the over 70,000 veterans in my district and the millions across our country, this law is a hard-fought victory for America’s veterans and their families. I’m proud both sides of the aisle came together to pass this common-sense bill that will handle the benefits of veterans with dignity and respect.
“Fraud cost veterans, servicemembers, and their families $477 million in 2023. That is an unacceptable amount of money stolen from those who made great sacrifices for our country. The least we can do is guarantee the reimbursement of families of defrauded veterans after they’ve suffered a great loss.
“Today, countless families will be able to claim the money they’re due. The passage of this bill into law is a reaffirmation of our commitment to protecting and honoring our veterans.”
The Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act will:
- Require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reissue misused benefits to a beneficiary’s estate in cases where the beneficiary predeceased reissuance; and
- Provide reissued benefits to either the veteran’s estate, successor, or next inheritor.
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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