U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB1732: GUARD VA Benefits Act
Status: In committee, March 18, 2026
To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act . SECTION 2. Reinstatement of penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Section 5905 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking Penalty and inserting Penalties (and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 59 of such title accordingly); (2) by inserting (a) Withholding of benefits.-- before Whoever ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Charging of unauthorized fees Except as provided in sections 5904 or 1984 of this title, whoever solicits, contracts for, charges, or receives, or attempts to solicit, contract for, charge, or receive, any fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary shall be fined as provided in title 18. .
Sponsors
- Christopher Pappas (D, HD-001) · primary sponsor
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R, HD-001)
- Jeff Van Drew (R, HD-002)
- Bennie Thompson (D, HD-002)
- Delia Ramirez (D, HD-003)
- Jared Golden (D, HD-002)
- Connolly, Gerald (D, 11)
- Don Bacon (R, HD-NE-2)
- Morgan McGarvey (D, HD-003)
- Chellie Pingree (D, HD-001)
- Robin Kelly (D, HD-002)
- Emilia Sykes (D, HD-013)
Latest actions
- : Committee Hearings Held
- : Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
- : Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- : Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Civil actions and liability, Veterans' pensions and compensation, Armed Forces and National Security, User charges and fees
Common questions
- What is HB1732?
- HB1732 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): GUARD VA Benefits Act.
- What does HB1732 do?
- In its own words: To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1732?
- In committee as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Committee Hearings Held (March 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1732?
- Christopher Pappas (D, HD-001), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1732?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1732
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.