Bill Summary
This legislation, titled the "Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2025," aims to amend the current United States Code to add a new tool for preventing fraud against veterans. The legislation proposes to add a new section, 1352, to Chapter 63 of Title 18, which would make it a federal crime for anyone to knowingly defraud an individual of their veterans' benefits or attempt to do so. This crime would be punishable by a fine and up to five years in prison. The terms "veteran" and "veterans' benefits" are defined in the legislation to clarify who and what is covered by this law.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially affect people by providing an additional tool to prevent fraud against veterans, which could help protect veterans and their families from financial scams and schemes.
2. The bill's amendment to title 18 could impose fines and prison sentences on individuals who knowingly attempt to defraud veterans of their benefits, potentially deterring individuals from committing such fraud.
3. The use of specific language, such as "veteran" and "veterans' benefits," in the legislation could lead to a more targeted and effective approach to preventing fraud and protecting those specifically affected by these crimes.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4169 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4169
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to
prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2025
Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Ms. Scanlon) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to
prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Crimes Against Veterans
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL TOOL TO PREVENT CERTAIN FRAUDS AGAINST VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1352. Fraud regarding veterans' benefits
``(a) Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any
scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or
in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for that individual,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years,
or both.
``(b) In this section--
``(1) the term `veteran' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38; and
``(2) the term `veterans' benefits' means any benefit
provided by Federal law for a veteran or a dependent or
survivor of a veteran.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 63 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``1352. Fraud regarding veterans' benefits.''.
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