To reinstate criminal 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.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9105 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9105 To reinstate criminal 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. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 2, 2026 Mr. Pappas (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Bynum, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Norton, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Keating, Ms. Titus, Mr. Vindman, Mr. Panetta, and Ms. Craig) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To reinstate criminal 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. 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 ``Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding Veterans Act of 2026'' or the ``SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. REINSTATEMENT OF PENALTIES FOR CHARGING VETERANS UNAUTHORIZED FEES RELATING TO CLAIMS FOR BENEFITS UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Section 5905 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``Penalty'' and inserting ``Penalties''; (2) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting the following: ``(a) Withholding of Benefits.--Whoever''; and (3) by adding at