[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          VETERANS' BENEFITS TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2349, the 
Veterans' Benefits Training Improvement Act. I particularly appreciate 
that the language from my bill, H.R. 1826, was incorporated into H.R. 
2349 in Committee. The language that I introduced would simply 
reinstate the criminal penalties that were previously in place on any 
individual charging veterans illegal fees for claims before the VA.
  Though it is already a violation of the law to charge a veteran in 
conjunction with filing a benefits claim before the VA, no federal 
punishment exists, leaving the door open for fly-by-night companies and 
con artists to take advantage of veterans, unlawfully charging them 
hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
  The language from my bill would make this offense punishable by up to 
one year in prison and/or fines. Crooked practices must be stopped, and 
this enforcement mechanism is a critical first step.
  Taking advantage of our most vulnerable veterans is a shameful act. I 
have seen local news reports, and I hear frequently from veterans' 
liaisons in my district that this problem is rampant, so much so that 
one of the counties in my district, Hillsborough County, is moving 
forward to implement a county ordinance that borrows the concept of 
implementing such an enforcement mechanism from my legislation.
  All veterans, regardless of where they reside, should not be forced 
to bear the financial burdens of an unenforceable law. They so 
diligently protected us during our nation's time of need, and now is 
our opportunity to protect them in their time of need. I am both 
honored and humbled to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  I would like to thank Chairman Miller for his strong leadership on 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and all of my colleagues on the 
Committee for their cooperation in pushing this language.

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