Member of the U.S. Senate Veteran Affairs Committee, Sen. Tommy Tuberville originally introduced the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act in 2022 without success. In February of 2023, he reintroduced the bill which eventually gained the approval of the Senate. On Thursday, it passed the U.S. House, and will go a long way for veterans and their families.
Under current law, if a defrauded veteran passes away before their case with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is resolved, the veteran’s family cannot seek reimbursement for the defrauded funds. This legislation would change that statute to allow a deceased beneficiary’s estate to receive reissued funds.
Under the Tuberville bill, that has now passed both chambers, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be required to reissue misused benefits to a beneficiary’s estate in cases where the beneficiary predeceased re-issuance. Additionally, the VA would provide reissued benefits to either the veteran’s estate, successor, or next inheritor.
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Tuberville’s proposal has been endorsed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project, and the American Legion.
“We’d like to believe we live in a country where no one would take advantage of our veterans, but sadly it does happen,” Sen. Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “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.”
Tuberville has also 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.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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