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SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9105| House 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (12)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to protect veterans from predatory practices by reinstating and strengthening penalties for charging unauthorized fees related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It amends federal law to impose criminal penalties , including fines or imprisonment, and bars individuals from representing veterans for one to ten years for soliciting or receiving unauthorized compensation for claims assistance. The legislation also clarifies that only VA-recognized agents or attorneys, or those under their direct supervision, may assist claimants for a fee, superseding conflicting state laws. To enhance transparency and claimant protection, the bill requires the VA to provide unrepresented claimants with notice of available accredited representatives and an online tool to search for them. This tool will also allow claimants to report unaccredited persons who charge fees. Furthermore, all public-facing VA websites and claim portals must display prominent warnings about potential predatory practices, including discouraging veterans from sharing their login credentials. The legislation mandates the VA to establish a robust, accessible online accreditation system for agents and attorneys, enabling clients to file complaints and report violations. It also requires VA claim forms to include questions about whether claimants were charged for assistance and to identify the person providing such services. Finally, the bill restricts the use of automated telephone equipment for making repeated calls to federal agencies if operated by third parties, addressing potential automated claim processing abuses.
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Timeline
Jun 1, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4646
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 2, 2026
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.
  • June 1, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4646
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 2, 2026
    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.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-4646: SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026
  • HR 119-8120: Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act
  • S 119-2344: Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025

SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9105| House 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
This bill aims to protect veterans from predatory practices by reinstating and strengthening penalties for charging unauthorized fees related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It amends federal law to impose criminal penalties , including fines or imprisonment, and bars individuals from representing veterans for one to ten years for soliciting or receiving unauthorized compensation for claims assistance. The legislation also clarifies that only VA-recognized agents or attorneys, or those under their direct supervision, may assist claimants for a fee, superseding conflicting state laws. To enhance transparency and claimant protection, the bill requires the VA to provide unrepresented claimants with notice of available accredited representatives and an online tool to search for them. This tool will also allow claimants to report unaccredited persons who charge fees. Furthermore, all public-facing VA websites and claim portals must display prominent warnings about potential predatory practices, including discouraging veterans from sharing their login credentials. The legislation mandates the VA to establish a robust, accessible online accreditation system for agents and attorneys, enabling clients to file complaints and report violations. It also requires VA claim forms to include questions about whether claimants were charged for assistance and to identify the person providing such services. Finally, the bill restricts the use of automated telephone equipment for making repeated calls to federal agencies if operated by third parties, addressing potential automated claim processing abuses.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 1, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4646
Introduced in Senate
Jun 2, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 2, 2026
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.
  • June 1, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4646
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 2, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 2, 2026
    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.
Chris Pappas

Chris Pappas

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (12)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Janelle S. Bynum (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-4646: SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026
  • HR 119-8120: Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act
  • S 119-2344: Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted