Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bill from Representative Connolly, H.R. 4016, the Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Beneficiaries in the fiduciary program are among the most vulnerable in VA's care. Because they are often elderly or mentally ill, they are at greater risk for financial abuse and theft of benefits. Unfortunately, in spite of VA's best efforts at vetting proposed fiduciaries, bad actors do arise from time to time.

When that happens, theft or misuse can have a devastating impact on the financial stability of the beneficiary. Not only that, the strain of being taken advantage of can further erode their physical and mental health, as well.

As such, I support this bill's goal of speeding restitution to those beneficiaries who may have suffered from theft or misuse of funds by a fiduciary. We must empower the VA to make these beneficiaries whole as soon as possible. It is the right thing to do.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the coauthor of this legislation who serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Oversight and Accountability Committee.

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4016, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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