Press Releases

Today, Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared at the start of the subcommittee’s legislative hearing to discuss potential legislation related to improving services offered by private companies and organizations that assist veterans with filing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation claim.

The subcommittee will come to order.

Good morning.

Thank you all for joining us today.

We are here to discuss three bills that would each reinstate criminal penalties for anyone who takes advantage of veterans who are filing claims for V.A. disability compensation.

Last week I heard veterans’ advocates testify that bad actors are charging $30,000 or more to assist veterans with filing their claims.

I think we can all agree that veterans should never have to pay $30,000 for assistance filing a VA disability compensation claim.

I have also heard from veterans that they want the freedom to choose who helps them file their initial claims.

But under current law, companies are not allowed to charge a fee for assisting veterans with claims at the start of the claims process, limiting their options.

At today’s hearing, we will be discussing H.R. 1656, the PLUS Act, which would reinstate fines and jail time for companies that violate laws regarding representation of veterans pursuing V.A. benefits claims.

The PLUS Act would also allow V.A.-accredited agents and attorneys to charge a limited fee to assist veterans with filing their initial claims for V.A. disability compensation.

Second, H.R. 1732, the GUARD Act, would reinstate fines for violations of the law regarding the representation of veterans before V.A.

Third, the discussion draft on today’s agenda would reinstate fines and jail time for violating the laws governing the representation of veterans before V.A.

The discussion draft would also allow V.A.-accredited agents and attorneys to charge a limited fee for assisting veterans with filing their initial V.A benefits claims, while prohibiting fees for certain types of initial claims.

I believe that regardless of the bill anyone supports, we must ensure that the veteran is at the center of the changes we make.

I look forward to a productive discussion today about the three bills on our agenda.

We have not yet received V.A.’s views on the bills.

Secretary Collins only recently began leading V.A., the second largest federal agency in the nation. He is still getting his sea legs.

Because V.A. did not have its views cleared in time for our hearing, it was not in the best interest of everyone’s time to have them come testify.

Because we do need V.A.’s views, we will keep the record open for them.

It is not uncommon for us to receive V.A.'s views after a hearing.

And I thank the witnesses who have joined us today.

I now yield to Ranking Member McGarvey for his opening remarks.