U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., have introduced legislation to protect veterans from benefits fraud.
According to their news release, about 9% or more than 200,000 U.S. residents are military veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Both senators said the number of fraud attacks against veterans and their families has soared with many experiencing financial losses totaling into the millions of dollars.
The Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act creates a new criminal offense for fraudulent schemes targeting veterans, subjecting fraudsters to a fine and/or five years in prison.
“Protecting Nevadans from fraud has been a top priority for me throughout my career, and we’ve got to do more to ensure that fraudsters and criminals who rip off our veterans aren’t let off the hook,” Cortez Masto said. “I’m pleased to work with Senator Rubio to protect our veterans and hold these fraudsters accountable.”
Rubio said legislation needs to crack down on criminals who prey on veterans.
“It is sick to scam and rip off the men and women who have bravely served our country,” Rubio added.
As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Cortez Masto has been a leading voice in the fight to protect consumers from fraud.
The former attorney general, who served from 2007-2015, also helped with the passage of the PACT Act to ensure veterans can get access to care and treatment of which they are entitled in the wake of toxic exposures during their service.
In December 2021, Cortez Masto’s legislation to protect VA benefits for student veterans was signed into law. She has also introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for veterans who have a service-related medical condition to get the benefits they are owed.