Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect veterans from benefits fraud. Approximately 9% of Nevada adults are U.S. military veterans, and in recent years, the number of fraud attacks against veterans and their families has soared, with many resulting in financial losses that total 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,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m pleased to work with Senator Rubio to protect our veterans and hold these fraudsters accountable.”
“It is sick to scam and rip off the men and women who have bravely served our country,” said Senator Rubio. “We need to crack down on criminals who prey on our veterans.”
As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading voice in the fight to protect consumers from fraud, and she’s championed efforts to ensure our veterans and their families have access to the benefits they’ve earned. She pushed back against the Trump administration’s efforts to leave consumers without damage compensation, and she’s led legislation to encourage whistleblowers to report fraud CFPB and to help protect homeowners. In addition, Cortez Masto helped get the PACT Act passed in the Senate to ensure veterans can get access to care and treatment they are entitled to in the wake of toxic exposures during their service to our country. In December of 2021, her 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.
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