Mobile Courant

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, legislation introduced by Senator Tuberville to reissue benefits to veterans who have been defrauded.

“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.

Senator Tuberville, representing Alabama on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has introduced multiple pieces of legislation aimed at helping veterans and their families. These include the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, which was signed into law in 2022. He originally introduced the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act with Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) in 2022 and reintroduced it again in February 2023.

Under current law, if a defrauded veteran passes away before their case with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is resolved, their family cannot seek reimbursement for defrauded funds. This legislation aims to change that statute by allowing a deceased beneficiary’s estate to receive reissued funds.

The Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act has received endorsements from several organizations including Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project, and the American Legion.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on several committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.